“HEART disease can hide in plain sight — don’t miss a beat”. This is the theme for World Heart Day 2026, recognised September 29. The message couldn’t be clearer. Heart disease, which includes heart attacks and heart failure syndromes, is responsible for 30 per cent of deaths worldwide. This is an urgent call for people to take responsibility for their health.

Screening for the causes of heart disease is an effective way to reduce your risk for developing heart disease. Common conditions like hypertension (detected in > 30 per cent of Jamaican adults) and diabetes may not be readily apparent in terms of how you feel but may already be setting the stage for later development of significant heart disease. Early detection and management of these common, chronic conditions can reduce your risk and prolong your life.

You may also reduce your risk of developing these conditions by measures which you can start on your own with simple guidance. Adopting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is the first step. What does this look like? This includes attaining and maintaining a healthy weight, adhering to a diet low in salt, sugar, fat and cholesterol and enriched with healthy fats, peas and beans, vegetables and high-quality protein. Don’t practise fad diets. Take your guidance from reliable science-based sites and consult with your medical practitioner and nutritionist.

You should be exercising regularly, whether you are overweight or not, to improve the health and function of your blood vessels and heart. Well-conditioned muscles, including your heart muscle, will improve your overall level of functioning and for older individuals will help you to remain functional and independent for a longer time.

If you have been found to have a chronic condition such as hypertension and diabetes, take heed of this and do all you can to control this well. This would mean taking prescribed medication as recommended, not missing doses or taking the medication only when you feel ill and having regular follow-up visits with your medical practitioner to monitor your progress and control. If these conditions are well-controlled, you have a greater chance of avoiding or delaying development of heart disease.

Lastly, be your own advocate! Speak up and lobby for improved facilities for exercise in public spaces, for improved health-care facilities and for regulations which will compel suppliers to provide healthier dietary choices. Tell the authorities that you want to be able to make the right dietary choices and therefore need clear and effective food labelling which should be mandatory for all processed foods sold in our country.

It is time for you as individuals to take responsibility for your own health. The heart is the engine which drives your body — don’t miss a beat!

Dr Andrene Chung is chairman of the Heart Foundation of Jamaica

Dr Andrene Chung