IN light of Heart Awareness Month, the KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane has urged the public to be mindful of risk factors that leave them exposed to cardiovascular disease – a disease of the heart or blood vessels.
Simelane urged both men and women to stop smoking and not to consume food that contains too much salt, sugar or fat – and to rather embrace good habits, such as engaging in regular exercise and following a healthy diet.
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“As we commemorate Heart Awareness Month, we encourage regular screening and testing for diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Yes, these were previously regarded as ‘diseases for older people’, but all of that has changed due to modern lifestyles. These days, people in their 20s and 30s find themselves suffering from these diseases.
“These are silent killers, threatening our well-being every day. They are the ticking time bombs of our health, waiting to explode in the form of a stroke or heart attack. We must be vigilant, take control, and protect ourselves from these potential complications.
“Let us eat healthy. When doctors say, let’s follow a healthy diet, they are not referring to expensive food, but they’re encouraging us to plant and eat food that comes from the ground. Let’s plant cabbages, potatoes, spinach… anything you can plant. If you have any of those vegetables, do not fry them because all of that oil is not good for you; rather boil your food. If you’ve boiled your food, there are lots of nutrients to be gained from that. And cooking oil is not only bad, but it’s expensive.”
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MEC Simelane also took the opportunity to warn about the dangers of tobacco, including the damage that it causes to the blood vessels, and how it increases the likelihood of blood clots, which can lead to a stroke (if it blocks an artery in the brain) or heart attack (if it blocks arteries leading to part of the heart muscle.
“Quitting smoking at any point – for both men and women – can lead to significant health benefits and reduce the risk of heart complications. It’s one of the most important steps you can take to improve cardiovascular health,” she said.
Those who suspect any abnormality with the heart are urged to visit their nearest clinic where they will be screened, examined and referred accordingly, if necessary.
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