KINGSTON, Jamaica—Executive Director of the Heart Foundation of Jamaica (HFJ), Deborah Chen, has appealed to Jamaicans to take proactive steps to protect their health, particularly their heart, in light of screening data.

“If you don’t find time for health, you will have to find time for illness. Get screened, make healthier choices, and take control of your heart health today,” Chen told JIS News in an interview.

She stressed the importance of simple but effective lifestyle changes, such as eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, drinking water, engaging in daily physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight.

Recent data from the HFJ revealed that approximately 72 per cent of individuals screened were overweight or obese.

Chen highlighted that this was just one of the troubling trends that were identified by the data.

Another alarming statistic that the executive director revealed was that 44 per cent of individuals recorded blood-pressure levels requiring medical intervention.

Among individuals with no known history of hypertension, 25 per cent had dangerously high readings, and just 20 per cent of blood-pressure readings were within the normal range.

“These figures are extremely concerning because they highlight the very risk factors that can lead to heart attacks,” Chen noted.

The executive director outlined several major contributors to heart disease. They include poor nutrition, including high consumption of ultra-processed foods and sugary beverages; physical inactivity; excess body weight; smoking and alcohol consumption.

She is urging all Jamaicans to “know your numbers” by getting regular health checks, including blood pressure, blood sugar, HbA1c (long-term blood sugar levels) and electrocardiogram (ECG).

She also pointed out that the National Health Fund (NHF) now offers support for HbA1c and ECG testing, making screening more accessible and affordable.

-JIS