World Heart Day

Every year on 29 September we celebrate World Heart Day, a global initiative of the World Heart Federation to raise awareness about heart health. It's a reminder to take care of your heart every day.

The bad news is that cardiovascular disease (CVD) kills over 17.5 million people worldwide each year. But the good news is that you can fight it.

Trends and insights in heart-related claims

The SA Heart and Stroke Foundation (HSFSA) says that 80% of heart disease and strokes can be prevented. Despite this 225 South Africans are killed by heart disease every day.

Heart and artery conditions account for 20% of the total causes of female deaths and 26% of male deaths - and it can happen to anyone at any life stage.

Most heart and artery events happen during one's working life with approximately 69% of all male and 66% of all females.

Tips for a healthy heart

Dr David Jankelow, a cardiologist and president-elect of the Johannesburg branch of the South African Heart Association, says a healthy lifestyle is as important as medicine when it comes to taking care of your heart. "A lot of the diseases we see - coronary artery disease, heart attacks, people who've had bypasses, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol - need a lifestyle change," says Jankelow. "It's easy to give people a pill. It's much harder for people to commit to a healthy lifestyle"

The SA Heart and Stroke Foundation says that employees are often faced with unhealthy choices provided by staff canteens and vending machines filled with salt and sugar laden foods which do not promote health. "Lack of physical activity increases the chance of developing many lifestyle diseases like high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease to name a few - these are also linked to stress, depression, and anxiety," the foundation says.

Eating healthy food can reduce up to 80% of heart disease and strokes. The HSFSA gives the following guidelines for a healthier diet:

• Fruit and vegetables
  • Beans and lentils
  • Low-fat or fat-free dairy products
  • High-fibre wholegrain food
  • Lean protein
  • Healthy fats (such as avocado and fish) and oils (for example canola or olive oil)
  • Food that contains omega-3 fatty acids (such as fish, nuts and seeds)

· Clean water and unsweetened tea or coffee.

• Reduce your portion sizes, especially when it comes to fatty, starchy or sugary food.
• Cut down on food with unhealthy fats and added sugars, sodium and salt.
• Don't drink too much alcohol or smoke cigarettes.

For more in-depth guidelines, visit the HSFSA website.

A simple lifestyle change or two can do wonders for your heart.

• Make your own heart-healthy meals at home.
• Do 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise (such as brisk walking, cycling slowly or playing tennis) or 75 minutes of high-intensity exercise (cycling fast, boxing or jogging) a week.
• Stub out that cigarette and within two years, you can substantially reduce your risk of coronary heart disease.

Sources :

https://www.discovery.co.za/corporate/health-keep-your-heart-healthy

https://www.discovery.co.za/corporate/my-business-take-a-break