Make “heart choices” in order to improve your health - Second lady

The Second Lady Mrs. Matilda Amissah-Arthur has urged Ghanaians to make "heart choices" in order to improve their health for a quality life because a healthy heart keeps one strong.

Mrs. Matilda Amissah- Arthur made this known at the official launch of the 14th World Heart Day celebrations in Ghana on the theme: “At the heart of Health – join the global movement for better heart –healthy choices wherever you live, work and play.”

She said the World Heart Day is part of an international campaign to spread the awareness about heart disease and stroke prevention: thus, heart diseases are the biggest cause of death worldwide.

Mrs. Matilda Amissah-Arthur said “we are told that the risk factors that may lead to heart diseases and stroke include raised blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels, smoking, overweight, obesity, physical activity and inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables”.

She said health experts have advised that at least 80% of premature deaths from heart diseases can be avoided if we control the main risk factors including overeating, lack of exercise and unhealthy diets.

She made a call on Ghanaians to begin to make lifestyle changes that will go a long way in improving our health; thereby advising them to also make changes in homes, work places, schools and communities that will help in making those life style changes necessary to improve on their health.

Mrs Matilda Amissah-Arthur called on Ghanaians to go for frequent health checks so as to know their cardiovascular disease risk and should make sure to follow the advice from health professionals.

She advised that people who have the habit of smoking should stop to improve their health.

She quoted Mahatma Ghandi saying “It is health that is wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.”

Mrs Amissah-Arthur concluded her speech by inviting all Ghanaians to celebrate the day, which falls on Saturday 27th September at the Efua Sutherland Park in Accra.