Being heart-healthy
SEPTEMBER 29 is celebrated as World Heart Day when people are encouraged to do their part in the fight against cardiovascular disease.
Worldwide, heart disease is one of the most lethal killers, and in women it affects the mostly overweight or pre-menopausal. This year the focus will be on creating healthy heart environments by ensuring everyone has the chance to make healthy heart choices wherever they live, work and play.
According to the World Health Organization, genetics is no longer the primary determinant in the development of heart disease, and approximately 80 per cent can be attributed to poor lifestyle habits.
Recent changes to our diets, physical activity levels, and how we live make us prone to heart disease. Diets high in animal fat, low in fresh vegetables and fruit, and high in alcohol have been shown to increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Choose a diet that is low in bad fat and salt.
We have an opportunity to prevent the future impact of heart disease and strokes by adopting heart-healthy living from childhood throughout adulthood. Remember, the purpose of World Heart Day is to educate about the devastating effects of heart disease, and how it impacts our families, societies and economies.
