2nd Lady urges Ghanaians to cultivate the habit of exercising

to keep the heart strong and healthy

By Maxwell Okamafo Addo

Mrs Matilda Amissah-Arthur, Wife of the Vice President, has urged all Ghanaians to cultivate the habit of exercising, at least 15 minutes every day, to keep the heart strong and healthy.

Mrs Amissah-Arthur, made the statement when she participated in a public health walk as part of the 2014 World Heart Day celebration Accra.

Mrs Amissah-Arthur participated in the walk the started from the Independence Square through the Osu Oxford Street, the Police Headquarters, Ridge Circle, the Liberation Road, and back to the Independence Square.

Mrs Amissah-Arthur said the theme: “Creating Heart Healthy Environment Wherever You Live, Work and Play”. was appropriate so urged the public to desist from smoking and adopt the right eating habits so that they would live long so the need to stay out of such issues.

On his part Director of National Cardiothoracic Centre at the Korle- Bu Teaching Hospital,Dr Lawrence Siriboe, said the World Heart Day, which was established in 2000, was aimed at preventing heart diseases,so the need for everybody to create a heart-healthy environment.

He said as a country we should try and limit prepackaged foods that are often high in sugar, salt and fat, ban smoking from your home, and be active by organising outdoor activities such as cycling or hiking and a regular visit a healthcare professionals who can measure your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels.

He said workers should demand a smoking ban at their various premises and encourage their employers to provide help to colleagues who wanted to quit smoking,so called for cost-effective treatment of cardiovascular diseases to help modify risk factors in high-risk individuals.

“On World Heart Day, we are urging global and national policy makers to provide more opportunities for people to make heart-healthy choices,” he said.