Heart Health Program still going strong after 20 years

DVA’s Heart Health Program improves veterans’ physical health through exercise, nutritional education and lifestyle management.

The department has been working with Corporate Health Management (CHM) to deliver the 12-month program to eligible veterans for more than 20 years.

The goal of the program is to help veterans build their own daily routine for exercise and a balanced diet that will continue long after the program is complete.

One participant who successfully completed the program, John Barnes, served as an officer in the Australian Army Corps of Signals during the Vietnam War.

‘I really look forward to being able to brag about my improvements week on week!’ John said.

Image of John Barnes as a young man, and an adult

‘I don’t think I would be unique in that either. With older veterans like me, the older you get, the less prepared you are to make an effort to keep yourself fit physically and mentally and remember you are still part of society.

‘I’m absolutely certain though, that the individual program I have undertaken has improved not only my cardiac stability, but my overall confidence in my own capabilities both physical and psychological. While the name Heart Health program clearly defines its target, the spin-off benefits are immense!’

There are two ways the Heart Health program can be delivered: through the Heart Health Group Program or individually if a participant is unable to join the group program.

Both include access to a team of health and fitness experts, custom food diary reviews by a qualified nutritionist, a participant manual and an achievement certificate on completion of the program.

‘Right from the first contact with the CHM people, I began to look forward to getting stuck into some real self-improvement,’ John said.

‘They were serious about listening, considering, presenting and maintaining an individual program in a positive and supportive way, all aimed at improving my approach to the maintenance and improvement of my lifestyle, both physically and psychologically.

The Heart Health program is free and open to veterans and peacekeepers with operational experience and Australian Defence Force Firefighter Scheme participants.

The Heart Health program website (veteranshearthealth.com.au) provides further information on eligibility and program locations.

Veterans who need further information are encouraged to contact DVA on 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372) or Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling on 1800 011 046 who will work with them to access the most appropriate care.