| Cardiovascular Disease (Heart and Blood Vessel Disease) that claims about 17.9million lives a year worldwide is the leading pathway to exiting this world but it should not be this way since small changes to our lives can reduce our risk of heart disease and stroke, as well as improve the quality of our lives while setting a good example for the next generation. As we approach WORLD HEART DAY (29Th September) let us all join the global community of HEART HEROES. Each of us can and should act now to live longer, better, heart-healthy lives by making simple promises: A promise to our families to cook and eat more healthily a. I love the way Mr. Carroll K Owu one of my favourite Licensed Dieticians puts it, “At the core of a quest for a healthy heart is our diet. And at the core of our heart healthy diet is limiting unhealthy fats and sodium (salt) while including a variety of vegetables and fruits in our meals.” A promise to our children to exercise more while we encourage them to do same. a. Say NO to SMOKING and help others to stop as well. Avoid inhaling someone’s toxins A promise as a healthcare professional to help our clients and all those we can reach to control the modifiable risk factors of cardiovascular disease; a. Lower cholesterol b. Control blood pressure c. Avoid smoking and minimize alcohol intake d. Control blood sugar e. Reach ideal weight for height 4. A promise as an employer together with employees to invest in heart-healthy workplaces a. We can definitely ensure healthy meals are served at work while we also institute exercise programmes and I offer a “GREENSCRIPTION”; let us work at leaving some lawns and plants in our work area to help people de-stress. Nature is a powerful element! 5. A promise as a policymaker to support policies that promote healthy hearts. a. STOP reducing the quality of our lives by converting every conceivable space to concrete. Leave parks and areas where people especially children can play and grow healthy and smart. Free Education is good but we need people to be healthy to maximize the benefits. Every heartbeat is crucial to the development of the world and losing a heart prematurely throws plans out of sync. Let us treat our hearts well by making and keeping to our SIMPLE PROMISE and our hearts will continue beating a melodious tune for several years. AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI) Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel Health Essentials Ltd/Mobissel/St. Andrews Clinic (www.healthessentialsgh.com) *Dr. Essel is a medical doctor, holds an MBA and is ISSA certified in exercise therapy, fitness nutrition and corrective exercise. Thought for the week – “SALT WARS! Most of us eat too much salt; about twice as much as we need each day. Reducing your salt intake helps lower blood pressure and your risk of cardiovascular disease. Declare war on salt intake.” References: Mayo Clinic; “Essential Heart Guide 2012” Mr. Carroll K. Owu, LD |
