Getting heart healthy the active way

May 22, 2016 News

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By Sharmain Grainger 

Guyana is home to two cardiac facilities, neither of which is wanting for clients. This essentially amplifies the notion that Guyana has a serious cardiovascular disease challenge. In fact the cardiovascular challenge here was just last week described as an “epidemic” by reputable cardiac surgeon, Dr. Gary Stephens.
He was at the time speaking at the commissioning of a state-of-the-art Catherisation Laboratory (Cath Lab) at the Caribbean Heart Institute (CHI). The Cath Lab there is said to be the latest model offered by General Electric (GE), a multinational conglomerate company based in the United States.
CHI is an organisation that epitomizes the notion of public private-partnership. It is essentially a private entity supported by Government to offer the public, as far as possible, subsidized heart-related services and even more with the New Cath Lab.
But then there is the privately-operated Dr. Balwant Singh Hospital which is also outfitted with a Cath Lab that is capable of offering on par services to patients suffering from cardiac-related issues.
But while the fancy, high-priced equipment that both institutions boast could help to extend the lives of many people suffering from cardiovascular diseases, the challenge is likely to persist if preventative measures are not seen as a necessity.
And prevention is indeed imperative if Guyana is to effectively combat this very prevalent health issue. After all, prevention has long been said to be better than cure.
Cardiovascular diseases, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), are disorders of the heart and blood vessels and include coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, rheumatic heart disease and other conditions.
Using statistics from WHO, Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton recently revealed that a staggering 17.5 million people die annually of cardiovascular diseases, representing an estimated 31 percent of all deaths worldwide. Added to this, more than 75 per cent of cardiovascular deaths occur in low and middle income countries much like Guyana. Further, WHO has found that a whopping 80 per cent of all cardiovascular deaths are related to heart attacks and strokes.
Although the Minister was not able to share Guyana-specific statistics, the fact that our country, like so many others, is faced with this epidemic, suggests that there is urgent need for efforts to be made to reduce its prevalence. While in the past cardiovascular diseases were associated with the elderly, it is clearly affecting young people as well these days.
But Dr. Norton insisted that Guyana is poised to effectively tackle this challenge forthwith. In fact he claims he is setting a fine example for the nation to follow.
While diet is an important factor in the quest to improve one’s health, the Minister has made it clear that exercise certainly cannot be placed on the back burner.
According to him, “physical inactivity is something that needs to be addressed. I can tell you it does not take so much infrastructure, and maybe that is why I am more inclined to blaze the trail in terms of jogging.”
“I can imagine that persons might have looked at me and term it an obsession, but I would certainly like for more of the Guyanese people to develop that obsession of running, jogging or even walking, and of course in so many other aspects,” the Public Health Minister asserted.
He optimistically shared his conviction that the coalition A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change Government is capable of achieving a goal detailed in its manifesto to have Guyanese become the healthiest people when compared to the Caribbean and the Americas by 2020.
“I feel happy when I can pass by what is known as the Merriman Mall and see playpens and gadgets that our younger generation can enjoy that never used to be there before. We must call a ‘spade a spade’ and not only when its ‘Ace of Spades’…But we have to reach the state where we can recognise the use of open spaces and that of recreational facilities,” Dr. Norton pointed out.
Even as he hinted that Government should be given credit where it is due, he stressed the need for people to become more involved in sports activities, regardless of how much it costs.
According to several credible reports, regular exercise can have a positive impact on the many risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. While not all exercises are good for the heart, indulging in appropriate exercises will not only keep down weight, but ensure that your heart remains healthy.
Research has shown that even persons who underwent cardiac surgery and exercised regularly were able to heal faster than individuals who did not. And it has been established that at least 30 minutes of focused brisk walking per day, even in portions, could be enough to help improve heart health, and by extension, prevent heart-related complications.
What we have to remember, though, is that the heart is a muscle that needs exercise, so that it can continue to fulfill its role to pump blood throughout the body.
We cannot overlook too that exercise must go hand in hand with healthy eating habits, non-smoking, and staying away from the harmful use of alcohol.
Based on a report published at heartfoundation.org, ‘For each hour of regular exercise you get, you’ll gain about two hours of additional life expectancy, even if you don’t start until middle age!”
Essentially, it isn’t too late if you are already middle age or would have manifested the onset of cardiovascular diseases. The important thing is to recognise that there is a risk or potential risk for cardiovascular diseases and embracing necessary measures to get things right with your health is important. Of course consulting with your physician is always a plus ahead of getting busy with exercise. After all, the intent is to create good, ‘healthy living’ results.

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