ACHEST ED’s MESSAGE ON WORLD HEART DAY 2021
World Heart Day is celebrated every year on September 29 to raise awareness, prevention and management of heart disease.
In his message, the ACHEST Executive Director Prof. Francis Omaswa urged every individual to take responsibility for their health.
“Heart Health starts with you as the owner of the heart. Eat the right food. Keep your weight right. Be physically active and exercise. Regularly check your blood pressure. Start today. This is simple and doable,” said Prof. Omaswa who is also a renowned cardiovascular surgeon and former founding Director of the Uganda Heart Institute and current Chair of the Uganda Gift of Life Heart Foundation.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally, taking an estimated 17.9 million lives each year. CVDs are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels and include coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, rheumatic heart disease and other conditions. More than four out of five CVD deaths are due to heart attacks and strokes, and one third of these deaths occur prematurely in people under 70 years of age.
The behavioural risk factors of heart disease and stroke are unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use and harmful use of alcohol.
World Heart Day 2021 is focused on harnessing the power of digital health to improve awareness, prevention and management of CVD globally. Under the theme “Use Heart to Connect” emphasis has been placed on every individual to use their knowledge, compassion and influence and ensure that they, their families and communities are part of the effort to live healthy lives.
To read more about CVDs, click: https://www.who.int/health-topics/cardiovascular-diseases#tab=tab_1
Compiled by Carol Natukunda