Every year, a staggering 20 million people lose their lives to heart diseases and stroke, according to Dr. Lawrence Agyeman Sereboe, a Medical Specialist at St. Micheal Hospital. This statistic is alarming, but what’s even more concerning is that 80% of these deaths could have been prevented with a healthy lifestyle.

Key Contributors to Heart Disease

Dr. Sereboe identified several factors that contribute to heart disease, including:

– Obesity: Being overweight or obese increases the risk of developing heart disease
– Alcoholism: Excessive alcohol consumption can damage the heart and increase blood pressure
– Smoking: Smoking, including shisha, can be extremely harmful, with one hour of shisha smoking equivalent to smoking 100 cigarettes

The Importance of Awareness and Prevention

Heart disease is a leading cause of death worldwide, emphasizing the need for awareness and prevention. Dr. Sereboe urged young people to adopt healthier lifestyles through:

– Regular exercise
– Avoiding tobacco
– Regular heart check-ups every six months

By taking these simple steps, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of heart disease.

Globally, cardiovascular diseases claim 17.9 million lives annually, with 85% of these deaths due to heart attacks and strokes. The World Health Organization (WHO) and other health organizations are working to reduce these numbers through awareness campaigns and prevention programs.

Events like World Heart Day serve as a reminder to prioritize our heart health and take action to prevent cardiovascular diseases. By making small changes to our lifestyle and being mindful of the risks, we can reduce the staggering number of heart disease-related deaths.