
Taking steps to keep the heart healthy is the best way to avoid life-threatening conditions such as heart disease and stroke, which is one of the causes of fatalities in the WHO South-East Asia Region.
Cardiovascular diseases account for a sizable proportion of the 8.5 million people in the region dying prematurely from non-communicable diseases every year. On this World Heart Day, it is important to raise awareness to improve heart health and diminish the risk of diseases.
A few changes in the lifestyle is the stepping stone to keep the heart healthy
- Avoid tobacco and alcohol consumption
- Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day
- Limit salt intake to less than one teaspoon a day
- Engage in moderate intensity exercises for 30 minutes a day, five times a week
Countries in the WHO South-East Asia Region reiterated their commitment to fight against non-communicable diseases by adopting the Colombo Declaration earlier this month.
The Declaration calls for an action to reverse the rising burden of cardiovascular disease among disease among other non-communicable diseases, placing particular emphasis on the primary health care approach, as well as other non-health sector initiatives.
With the rise in public awareness people across the Region will have the best chance possible of maintaining a healthy heart and living a longer, happier life. Achieving this goal is a responsibility that individuals, communities, the health and non-health sectors must embrace and strive for.
Source: Medindia
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