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With the worrying rise in stroke cases among young people, the Ghana Society of Cardiology has warned of the dangers and linked the trend to sedentary lifestyles and poor lifestyle choices.
Society is stepping up its efforts to inform the public about the dangers of making bad lifestyle decisions and the value of engaging in regular physical activity as the frequency of cardiovascular diseases rises.
Dr. Francis Agyekum, Vice President of the Ghana Society of Cardiology, addressed the alarming shift in the demographics impacted by cardiovascular diseases, notably stroke, at the annual general scientific meeting held in Accra on February 22, 2024.
He pointed out that whereas in affluent countries these diseases were traditionally linked to older age groups, there is a concerning rise in instances in Ghana among the productive age range.
“Our patients are younger if you compare that to the United States or the UK. My youngest patient that came with a heart attack was 27 years old,” Dr. Agyekum remarked, underlining the severity of the issue.
Dr. Agyekum asserts that food choices and other lifestyle modifications have a major impact on the growth in cardiovascular illnesses. He highlighted how fast food and processed meals are more common in current diets, and that intake of fruits and vegetables has decreased.
Furthermore, a sedentary lifestyle with little physical activity increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
“People are now eating more energy-dense meals, fast foods, cholesterol, excessive salt intake. People are eating less of fruits and vegetables. People are not exercising,” Dr. Agyekum lamented, highlighting the detrimental impact of these lifestyle factors.
The Ghana Society of Cardiology is promoting greater awareness of the dangers of leading an unhealthy lifestyle and the significance of routine check-ups for the early diagnosis of cardiovascular illnesses in response to these worries.
The Society wants to enhance public health outcomes and stop the rise of cardiovascular illnesses by enabling people to prioritize physical activity and make healthier decisions.
The Ghana Society of Cardiology’s call to action, which highlights the critical need for coordinated efforts to promote heart health and address the underlying causes of stroke and other cardiovascular illnesses, comes at a timely moment as the country struggles with the rising burden of cardiovascular diseases.
NKONKONSA.com
