Be empowered to make the right lifestyle choices and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease
Photos: Shutterstock
Choose to stay active throughout the day, either by taking the stairs instead of the lift or by engaging in exercise.
Your heart, the organ and lifeblood of your well being, is far more precious than you think it is.
In 2015, cardiovascular disease (CVD), which includes heart diseases and stroke, accounted for 29.6 per cent of all deaths in Singapore. This translates to nearly one in three deaths, making it one of the top two killers in the nation.
Preventing cardiovascular disease
While the figures may sound disheartening, the good news is that CVD can be prevented with a conscious effort to make heart-healthy choices. These efforts could be as simple as staying active, either by taking the stairs instead of the lift or by engaging in exercise.
Have a well-balanced meal by filling half of your plate with fruit and vegetables, a quarter with whole-grains and the last quarter with protein-based foods (lean meat). Finally, make time for regular health checks.
This World Heart Day, fuel your hearts and power your lives! Your heart is at the heart of your health and it is easy to give it the care it deserves.
World Heart Day
To increase public awareness of CVD, World Heart Day was created to heighten public awareness of the risk factors and to promote preventive measures.
Unfortunately, many Singaporeans are not aware of their hypertensive state and often neglect going for routine health screenings. This might translate into an inability to take precautionary steps to mitigate the various CVD risk factors, resulting in serious health problems in the future.
In Singapore, World Heart Day is celebrated concurrently with the National Heart Week, along with a series of interactive and info-educational activities to engage the public with general heart health information.
Family friendly carnival
Come 1 Oct (Sat) from 8am to 8pm, the Singapore Heart Foundation (SHF) will be celebrating World Heart Day with a family-friendly carnival at the hard court next to Yishun MRT. Themed ‘Power Your Life’, the event urges Singaporeans both young and old to make the right lifestyle choices, so as to reduce the risk of CVD.
Graced by Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Social and Family Development and MP for Nee Soon GRC, the event will feature an exciting line-up of activities, demonstrating the effortless ways in which one can make sustainable lifestyle choices at home and at work.
Highlights include blood pressure screening and a ‘Know Your Numbers’ instant photo booth, where participants will pledge to keep their blood pressure readings healthy.
For a dose of family bonding, join the 3-Gen Masterchef Challenge, which encourages families to enjoy home-cooked meals instead of eating out. Three-generation families or friends who are up for the challenge, can join the contest to whip up healthy, nutritious and tasty recreations of their own recipes.
30 teams will compete in a preliminary round, with the top ten teams selected for a grand finale during the National Heart Week/World Heart Day 2016 event.
Other activities include chair aerobics, Zumba for Heart, a nutri-educational exhibition, heart-health quizzes and games with attractive prizes to be won, as well as CPR + AED certification courses.
To register for the above-mentioned activities and for more information, call 63549369/35 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5:30pm only) or email worldheartday@heart.org.sg
Pre-registration is strictly required for all activities and based on a first come, first served basis.
For more details, visit myheart.org.sg.
Brought to you by the Singapore Heart Foundation.
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