World Heart Day is on 29 September, and with 210 people dying from heart disease every day, there’s every reason why we should take this seriously.
In fact, after HIV/Aids, heart disease and stroke are the second biggest killers in South Africa . Non-communicable diseases (lifestyle-related conditions), including heart disease, are estimated to account for 43% of the deaths of adults in our country.
There are multiple reasons for this, including a growing obesity epidemic, drinking habits, an inactive lifestyle, and a high number of smokers. Heart disease is also no longer a disease associated with the elderly, as half of people who die from heart attacks in this country are under the age of 65.