World Heart Day (WHD) is celebrated on Sept. 29 each year. Started by the World Heart Federation, WHD informs people around the globe that cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, is the world’s leading cause of death claiming 17.5 million lives each year.
Through the campaign, the World Heart Federation unites people across Indonesia and all countries and backgrounds in the fight against the CVD burden, and inspires and drives international action to encourage heart-healthy living across the world.
About Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
CVD continues to be the leading cause of death and disability in the world today: over 17.5 million people die from cardiovascular disease every year.
Protect your heart
Most of the major cardiovascular disease risk factors can be controlled. Here are a few tips on how to control those risk factors and protect your heart
Get active — it’s Bali!
30 minutes of activity a day can help prevent heart attack and stroke. Try to make exercise a regular part of your life and it’s easy to do in Bali: head out to one of the ocean side esplanades, find a pool for water aerobic exercise or hire a trainer. Being active is also a great way to relieve stress and control your weight, which are both risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
“With a healthy heart… the beat goes on.”
Protect yourself from tobacco
If you stop smoking, your risk of coronary heart disease will be halved within a year and will return to a normal level over time. Avoid smoke-filled environments: exposure to second-hand smoke significantly increases the risk of heart attack.
Eat healthily
It’s a snap to eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables in Bali and complement that with a variety of whole grain products, lean meat, fish, peas, beans, lentils, and foods low in saturated fats. Be wary of processed foods, which often contain high levels of salt. Try to avoid drinking alcohol or if you do drink, make sure it is in moderation. Drink lots of water!
Maintain a healthy weight
Keeping a healthy weight and limiting your salt intake will help to control your blood pressure and lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. A good way to keep track of a healthy weight is to use BMI (Body-Mass Index), which is a measure of how much body fat, is on a person based on their height or weight. To calculate your BMI, you divide your weight (in kilograms) by your height squared (in meters). A healthy adult should keep his or her BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m².
Know the warning signs
The sooner assistance is sought, the greater the chances of a full recovery. Learn about CPR and get certified from your local organization so that you are able to help out in case someone goes into sudden cardiac arrest.
Carefully take your medication
Take the medication that your doctor has prescribed and make sure you stick to your regiment.
Know all the facts direct
Have concerns? Contact your BIMC doctor today for a one-on-one discussion.
Health-e reporting with sources: Awareness days; worldheartday.org
