After losing her mother to heart disease, one Palmerston North woman made significant changes and lost 20kg in an attempt to avoid the same fate.
Blue Illusion manager Wendy Pearce's mother died suddenly and she says this was the wake up call that prompted her to take action and make health a priority.
"I had just turned 50, I was overweight and suffering from severe dizziness."
Taking herself to the doctor for a health check, she discovered she was suffering from high blood pressure. She joined a 20-week programme with Roger Symes from Soul-full Living and lost 20kg.
"My blood pressure is stable and the dizziness is gone. I'm fitter and healthier than ever and I feel fantastic."
Every 90 minutes a New Zealander dies of heart disease but, for many of the 169,000 people living with the condition, there are simple changes that can help with cardiovascular health.
Symes says that small things make the biggest difference and suggests our bodies are already telling us when they're not happy.
"When we are feeling sick or we are in pain, that is usually a good indication something needs to change. Being a little more active, small changes in diet, learning to relax; they are all do-able."
Heart Foundation heart health advocate Sally Darragh agrees.
"Many of these deaths are preventable which is why we all need to be taking steps, like Wendy, to improve our heart health."
Tonight, Pearce and the team at Blue Illusion are holding a special event to benefit the Heart Foundation. A percentage of all sales between 5pm and 8pm will go to the Heart Foundation to help fund research, education and prevention programmes to fight heart disease.
The event will include a fashion show, personal styling tips and light refreshments.
For further information contact palmerston@blueillusion.com.