How is your heart health?

Early management of risks associated with heart disease makes a big difference in the long term, says Sue Hope Murray, a Cardiac Nurse who works with Teladoc Health to provide Heart Coach services for AA Life Insurance policy holders.

Sue says the Heart Coach service is designed for people who want to better understand and improve their heart health. That might be because they want to take a proactive approach to prevention, or they might have conditions that put them at greater risk of developing heart disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes.

Other factors increasing the likelihood of developing heart disease include age, smoking, obesity, poor diet, lack of exercise and stress.

“Awareness and early management of risks can make a significant difference in long-term heart health,” Sue says.

Heart Coach is designed to support that management. Personalised care plans involve monthly check-ins with a New Zealand-registered cardiac nurse and access to a digital cardiac app to help track progress.

The programme doesn’t replace medical care, it complements it, Sue explains. “We help participants implement their doctor’s recommendations, adopt sustainable lifestyle changes, and monitor their progress between appointments.”

One-on-one coaching sessions, personalised health assessments, goal setting, education on nutrition and physical activity and regular progress check-ins are part of the Heart Coach service.

“It also provides practical tools and resources to help participants stay motivated and accountable on their heart health journey.”

Heart Coach is one of several extra services providing support for medical, mental health and overall wellbeing to AA Life Insurance policy holders at no extra cost to their premiums. Specialists are available online to the policy holder and their families, which includes their partner, children, parents and parent-in-laws. Consultations, outcomes and results are confidential between the patient and the provider.