To highlight World Heart Month, the South African Heart Association (SA Heart) visited Bara Taxi Rank to offer taxi drivers free cardiovascular health screenings and engage with healthcare professionals about prevention and early detection.

The visit, which took place on September 15, saw drivers gather to receive their screenings and ask questions regarding the causes of cardiovascular disease.

According to SA Heart, one in three adult South Africans live with high blood pressure, while up to 80% of heart disease and strokes can be prevented before the age of 65 through lifestyle changes.

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Through Check My Beat, SA Heart is taking this conversation directly into the community, with a focus on taxi drivers as a key audience for preventative healthcare due to the long working hours, limited opportunities for physical activity, reliance on convenient food options and the pressures associated with working in a busy transport environment that they face. These factors can contribute to lifestyle behaviours that increase cardiovascular risk.

“Cardiovascular health requires greater attention, particularly when it comes to prevention and early screening. We know that many of the risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease can be addressed through healthier lifestyle choices and early intervention.

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“Through Check My Beat, we are taking this conversation directly into communities and making access to screening and health education more convenient and relevant to the people we want to reach,” cardiologist and previous president of SA Heart Dr David Jankelow said.

The initiative combines cardiovascular screening with a personalised experience.

Taxi drivers underwent quick screenings that assessed blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose and other vital heart health indicators, supported by the campaign’s healthcare and technology partners.

Following their screening, participating taxi drivers received a personalised “Heart Health Track”, an AI-generated song created specifically for them.

The tracks use Maskandi-inspired music, incorporating heartbeat rhythms and personalised messages that encourage healthier choices and prioritising cardiovascular health.

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The personalised tracks were shared with drivers after their screening, giving them a unique and memorable way to take the heart-health message with them beyond the taxi rank.

“We want to make cardiovascular health something people can engage with in a way that feels relevant to their everyday lives. The Heart Health Tracks give drivers a personal reminder of the importance of looking after their health, while using technology and music to make the message memorable.

“This collaborative approach allows us to bring together healthcare, innovation and community engagement to create a meaningful experience for the people we are reaching,” Board member of SA Heart and co-founder of the Check My Beat project Mandi Fine said.

Fine added that through Check My Beat, SA Heart aims to build greater awareness of cardiovascular disease, encourage early screening and promote healthier behaviours, while reinforcing the importance of prioritising cardiovascular health throughout the year.