Dr Anna Rolleston The Cardiac Clinic

Good health and lifestyle change is not about depriving yourself of the things you enjoy. Anna Rolleston and the team at The Cardiac Clinic have an innovative philosophy – and it includes being able to enjoy the treats in life.

The Cardiac Clinic opened in April 2010, supported by the Heart Foundation with an aim to provide sustainable lifestyle change programmes that fit with a person's current lifestyle, yet provide health improvements and reduced risk of heart attack, stroke and other lifestyle related conditions.

'Lifestyle change can be hard. Often we choose the ‘quick-fix option' – a crash diet, a 12-week challenge - which is not sustainable long term,” says Anna.

'We aim to support individuals with small changes to their lifestyle so that they have a better chance of success long-term. The slowly-but-surely approach is better in the long run and real change can occur that becomes an imbedded part of a person's lifestyle.”

The Cardiac Clinic is focused on preventative and proactive approaches to health. Their cardiac assessment programme aims to increase awareness of heart disease and the frequency of heart attack and stroke in our society.

'Our comprehensive cardiac assessments are as much an educational tool as a physical assessment,” says Anna.

'The assessment provides peace of mind in most cases, and is an avenue for us to provide lifestyle recommendations, especially around stress management, nutrition and exercise.”

The Cardiac Clinic has commenced a new phase in its goal to change the lives of New Zealanders by moving to a new premise where they are joined by other health care providers who share a similar philosophy. The Manawa Ora Integrative Health and Research Centre is located at 103 3rd Ave. As part of the Manawa Ora Centre, Anna and Nan will build on their ability to provide innovative health solutions to support individuals in living healthy, fulfilling and long lives.