Heart Month

September

coat of arms

September is Heart Month in South Africa.

According to a 2007 report by the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa, about 195 South Africans – or 13 minibus loads – die each day from heart disease. Of these, heart attacks are responsible for about 33 deaths per day and are twice as prevalent among men as in women,
while about 60 people die a day due to strokes and about 37 due to heart failure.

However, simple lifestyle changes implemented daily can have a significantly positive effect on overall heart health, and starting early – even before birth – makes all the difference. These include:

Moderate physical activity like brisk walking, swimming, dancing or participating in non-competitive sports for just 30 minutes per day
Watch your diet: a prudent, varied eating pattern with reduced total fat intake, particularly saturated fats from animal products, more fruit and vegetables and reduce your overall salt intake.
Don’t smoke
Maintain a healthy body mass index
Check your blood pressure regularly
Check your cholesterol regularly

Source: Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa

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Last modified: 03 September 2010 16:26:39.