It’s time to listen to your heart

Every second edition of the eBounce newsletter has focused on different non-communicable diseases (NCD). These health conditions are not contagious like the flu or bronchitis. Instead, you can be diagnosed with non-communicable diseases like high blood pressure, asthma, and heart disease from a combination of your genetic factors, your environment, your physiology and your lifestyle behaviours. Heart disease is one of these non-communicable diseases.

Acknowledge the risk factors you cannot change

Some risk factors for heart disease cannot be controlled. These include having a family history of heart disease, growing older and having diabetes.

Sex (the biological and physiological characteristics that define men and woman) also plays a role in how likely you are to develop heart disease. According to data in South Africa, heart and artery conditions account for 20% of the total causes of female deaths and 26% of male deaths. After menopause, men and women are at equal risk of developing heart disease.

Anyone can get heart disease

If you have a family history of heart disease, you can be at a higher risk even if you follow a healthy lifestyle that includes exercise, eating right and not smoking. Having healthy habits makes it less likely to be diagnosed with heart disease and gives you a better chance of recovery if you suffer from a heart attack or stroke.

Reasons to care for your heart health

In South Africa, 225 people pass away from heart disease every day. Eating right, exercising, not smoking, and having your blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and weight checked each year at a Personal Health Assessment is also good for you and your family. Taking care of your heart health is a good way to prevent heartache.