Monday's news
29 Jul 2013
New research finds that heart attack survivors are not working to lessen risk, Essendon coach James Hird speaks to media following David Evans' shock resignation, NRL legend Graham Murray dies and a hoarder's home burns.
Heart attack survivors not lowering risk
New research has found that 10 per cent of heart attack survivors are smoking and 30 per cent have higher than recommended blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
"The individual has some blame in this,” director of cardiovascular health at the Heart Foundation Dr Robert Grenfell told ABC News Breakfast this morning. "They don't start exercise, the diets don't change. Most people have stopped their life-saving medication within two years after their heart attack. The most likely person to have a heart attack in Australia today is the person who has [already had] one."
Read more about the study and find out more about the warning signs of a heart attack.
Hoarder’s house burns
A home in Marrickville in Sydney’s inner west burnt last night, with fire fighters’ efforts to rescue a 68-year-old woman and her 71-year-old husband, as well as extinguish the blaze, severely hampered by the hoarded material piled in the yard, home and roof space.
Surrounding homes were evacuated and the road is expected to remain closed until midday as fire crews monitor the debris for signs of danger.
Read more at SMH.com.au and keep an eye out for the August/September issue of Active Retirees magazine (available 1 August) to find out more about hoarding and what can be done about it.
NRL legend Graham Murray dies
Former State of Origin and NRL coach Graham Murray has died at the age of 58 after failing to recover from a suspected heart attack he suffered in March this year.
His wife Amanda and daughter Kara made the decision to switch of his life support at Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital at 9:44pm last night.
Murray will be remembered for his long and distinguished coaching career in the NRL, including coaching North Queensland and the Sydney Roosters, and New South Wales in the 2006 and 2007 State of Origin series. He also coached the Leeds Rhinos in England, the Hunter Mariners in Australia’s Super League and the Illawarra Steelers in the NSW Rugby League.
ARL Commission chairman John Grant referred to Murray’s death as a “tragedy”, and outgoing NSWRL chief executive Geoff Carr said Murray would always hold a special place in rugby league history.
“Graham played and coached at the highest level of the most intense competition in Australian sport,” said Carr. “As well as being an outstanding coach, he was simply a great friend to many in the game and a great family man who will be sorely missed.”
Hird speaks after Evans departs Essendon
Following David Evans surprising resignation on Saturday night as chairman of the Essendon Football Club, coach James Hird has told media that his friend’s departure is “a travesty”.
"I have spoken to David,” Hird told media gathered outside his home this morning. “He is going to take a short break, it is a big travesty what has happened to David. We all wish him well, he is a terrific person.”
Evans had previously indicated he was committed to helping the club recover from the fallout of its player supplement scheme. It is thought that a health scare has prompted the change of heart.
Read more in The Age and watch the ABC news report following Evans’ shock resignation below.
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