Heart Disease is a growing issue in our population; affecting both the elderly and the young as well as both men and women.
Studies have shown that the risk of heart disease increases with age; however, it’s prevalence in younger age groups is rising; 10% of cases occurring in people aged below 45 years.
This rising incidence of heart disease in young people has been linked to increased smoking, poor diet and sedentary lifestyles.
‘Smoking causes considerable damage to blood vessels, leading to the build-up of plaque, which narrows and hardens the arteries, causing hypertension and restricting the flow of blood to the brain and heart, causing stroke and heart attack respectively. When this build-up takes place within the heart itself it causes coronary heart disease (CHD), which can result in heart attack and heart failure.’
Heart disease is also associated with diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol and obesity.
So let’s make a change! Change your lifestyle and reduce your risk of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)!
- Quit smoking
- 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day
- Healthy eating (low cholesterol foods!)
