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18.09.2014 General News

Second Lady Urges Ghanaians To Make “Heart Choices” In Order To Improve Their Health At The Official Launch Of The 14th World Heart Day

By Maxwell Okamafo Addo
Second Lady Urges  Ghanaians To Make Heart Choices  In Order To Improve Their Health  At The Official Launch Of The 14th  World Heart Day
18.09.2014 LISTEN

The Second Lady Mrs. Matilda Amissah-Arthur has urged Ghanaians to make” Heart choices” in order to improve their health for a quality life because a healthy heart keeps you strong. Mrs Matilda Amissah- Arthur made this known at the official launch of the 14th World Heart Day celebrations in Ghana under the theme : “At the heart of Health – join the global movement for better heart –healthy choices wherever you live, work and play.”

She said the World heart day is part of an international campaign to spread awareness about heart disease and stroke prevention and that heart disease are the biggest cause of death worldwide

Mrs Matilda Amissah-Arthur said we are told that the risk factors that may lead to heart disease and stroke include raised blood pressure , cholesterol and glucose levels , smoking, overweight , obesity , physical activity and inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables.

She said we have been advised by health experts that at least 80% of premature deaths from heart diseases can be avoided if we control the main risk factors and that overeating, lack of exercise and unhealthy diets can result in high blood pressure , high cholesterol and glucose levels are some of the causes.

She made a call on Ghanaians to begin to make lifestyle changes that will go a long way in improving our health. And advised that , we should also make changes in our homes, work places , schools and communities that will help in making those life style changes necessary to improve our health.So the need to keep reminding ourselves to eat well – avoid junk food. Since we are surrounded by lots of them .

She further stated that we have all become people who have no time, so everything has become fast tract- fast track passports, fast track housing , fast track claims , fast track recruitment and so on. So the need to reduce our consumption of salt, which is linked to approximately 2.5million people dying annually from heart disease.

Mrs Matilda Amissah-Arthur called on Ghanaians to go for frequent health checks so as to know their cardiovascular disease risk and make sure you follow the advice of the health professional.

She advised that people who have the habit of smoking should try and quit the habit, since that would improve their health and also the people in their homes.

She quoted Mahatma Ghandi saying “It is health that is wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.”

Mrs Matilda concluded her speech by inviting all Ghanaians to celebrate the day, which falls on Saturday 27th September at the Efua Sutherland Park in Accra.

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