Minister of Health Dr Osagie Ehanire on Friday launched a nationwide campaign against cardiovascular disease also known as heart attack giving eleven simple lifestyle and dietary information that reduce its risks in humans.
The Minister who also held a press conference in commemoration of the World Heart Day with the theme:’My Heart, Your Heart’ also used the occasion to launch a pocketbook entitled My Healthy Heart.
He noted that cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, stroke, heart disease is the major non-communicable disease and world’s number one cause of death.
He also that country witnessed a high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in 2018 with hypertension, hypertensive heart disease, cardiomyopathies and ischemic diseases at 31 2%, 27.6%,11.5% and 0.7% respectively.
The Minister called for a collaborative effort of stakeholders and the general public in the fight against heart disease and other aliments
The most important nuggets for a healthy heart are: avoid tobacco, avoid alcohol intake, engage in physical activity, eat minimal fats and oils.
Others are: eat adequate fresh fruits and vegetables, reduce sodium intake, reduce and maintain healthy body weight, go for regular medical check-up, manage stress and take time to relax and have adequate and quality sleep.