Heart

HEART

The human heart provides the power to your life, pumping 90 000 times every day. Ironically it can also be one of your greatest weaknesses. Almost 1 in every 5 deaths in South Africa are caused by heart diseases. Only HIV and AIDS claims more lives nationally.

Heart disease often progresses suddenly without any symptoms or forewarning, until a heart attack suddenly strikes. By living a healthy lifestyle and understanding your own health you can prevent heart disease or treat it early before it’s too late.

80% of heart diseases that happen before the age of 65 years can be prevented by eating well, keeping active, and not smoking. In reality, the lifestyles of most people living in South Africa are becoming unhealthier. 2 in 5 South Africans have high blood pressure, 2 in 3 women are overweight, a third of men smoke, nearly half of the population is unfit, and most eat too much salt and not enough fruit and vegetables. Start living a health lifestyle to prevent developing heart disease or having a stroke and to live a long and active life.

Some less common types of heart disease can develop before birth, be inherited from parents, or result from an infection. Learn more about the different types of heart disease, what causes heart disease, the signs of a heart attack and what you should do when it happens, and how it can be treated.