CATEGORY:HEALTH
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By Trevor Thwaites (Inside Grenada correspondent)


ST.GEORGE’S, (September 24, 2006) - Grenada joined the rest of the world in the observance of World Heart Day, which was celebrated on Friday September 22, 2006. According to figures from the World Health Organization (WHO), 17.5 million people die annually from heart disease and stroke, a figure it says that can be significantly reduced if healthy lifestyles are practiced. The World Health Organization called on people in Grenada and around the world to guard against the disease by paying close attention to controlling major risk factors such as unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and smoking.

These, it says, are the keys to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The occasion was held under the theme “How young is your Heart.” It sought to encourage people around the world to adopt healthy lifestyles and to have a young heart for life and increase public awareness about the threat of heart disease and stroke. Health officials say that a low calorie, nutritionally balanced diet has been associated with slowing the ageing process of the heart.

They have also stressed that regular physical activity is vitally important to reducing the risk of stroke by over 25% and the risk of coronary heart disease by over 40%. According to the WHO, the hearts of veteran athletes between the ages of 50-70 have been found to be as strong and healthy as those of an inactive 20 year-old. A strong appeal has again been sounded to people around the world to quit smoking. The practice has been proven to increase blood cholesterol, blood clothing and increases the chance of the sudden blockage of an artery.

The Grenada Heart Project is part of the World Heart Federation that encompasses more than 100 countries around the world. A series of activities were planned here to mark World Heart Day. Most of the attention was focused on the south of the country, where a march and rally took place. It started 10 o’clock Friday morning and proceeded to the Morne Rouge Playing Field. Assistant Administrator of the Grenada Heart Project, Mrs. Marcelle Lewis, said that six students from each of the 19 schools in the South were involved in the exercise.


Health officials from the government and the Grenada Heart Project addressed the rally. They highlighted the importance of healthy eating and physical activity in maintaining healthy lifestyles. A Poster competition and a quiz contest among the schools in the south were also part of the World Heart Day Activities. Special prizes were distributed to the winning schools. A national address on Sunday September 24 by Health Minister, Senator Ann David Antoine, is also part of the activities.

Mrs Lewis says that activities were planned in the other parishes. The World Heart Foundation is a Non Governmental Organization based in Geneva, Switzerland. It is committed to helping the global population achieve a longer and better life through prevention and control of heart disease and stroke. Particular emphasis is being focused on low and middle-income countries. 189 societies of cardiology and heart foundations from 100 countries are part of the World Hearth Foundation.