CEDRIC MBOYISA
JOHANNESBURG – New findings have revealed heart disease is a “neglected epidemic”, which places many South Africans at risk of premature death.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation-commissioned report, compiled by Professor Krisela Steyn, a leading academic and doctor, paints a gloomy picture of chronic diseases in the country.
“Premature deaths caused by heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) diseases in people of the working age (35 - 64-years-old) are expected to increase by 41% between years 2000 and 2030. The negative economic impact of this will be enormous,” the report says.
According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s Shân Biesman-Simons, the cost to the country’s economy will amount to a staggering R8 billion a year.
The report cites obesity, smoking, urbanisation and Westernised lifestyles as some main factors.
“Most South Africans are couch potatoes, they follow a sedentary lifestyle.
“Pooled data of many studies showed that populations that were involved in physical activity had about half the amount of heart attacks compared to inactive populations,” the report explains.
Biesman-Simons said cardiovascular diseases must become a priority on the government’s agenda.
* Dr Lucas Ntyintyane - a Chris Hani-Baragwanath Hospital researcher – said heart diseases were being overlooked because of HIV/Aids.