World Heart Day was created to inform people around the globe that heart disease and stroke are the world’s leading cause of death, claiming 17.2 million lives each year. World Heart Day will be celebrated on Sunday, 27 September. The general theme this year is "workplace wellness".
Most of us spend over half our waking hours working. A workplace that encourages healthy habits can reduce your risk of many diseases – including cardiovascular diseases (such as heart disease and stroke) which are the leading cause of death worldwide.
This is why World Heart Day 2009 is calling on everyone to “Work with Heart” – encouraging you to make small changes that together could make a big difference in favour of greater health and productivity.
The story "work with heart"
Over 17.2 million people die each year from cardiovascular diseases, making these the leading cause of death worldwide. Yet 80% of premature deaths from heart disease and stroke could be avoided by controlling the main risk factors: tobacco, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity.
Millions of productive life-years are lost annually, posing significant threats to the vitality of our highly-interdependent global system, especially in the context of the current financial crisis.
Businesses around the world, as well as leading organizations such as the World Health Organization and the World Economic Forum have recognized the importance of employee health to achieve core business objectives. Many have committed to include health promotion on their corporate agenda.
Yet it is mostly large corporations in developed countries that offer workplace health programmes.
There is an urgent need to extend these benefits to all employees, in other industries and sectors, and in other parts of the world. In particular, workers in low- and middle-income countries, where over 80% of deaths from cardiovascular disease currently occur, could benefit greatly from the implementation of such programmes.
Why Workplace Wellness?
As part of its commitment to the World Economic Forum initiative “Working Towards Wellness”1, World Heart Day 2009 has been dedicated to this theme. Almost half of those who die from chronic diseases are in their productive years. The economic consequences - driven by productivity reduction and increase in costs caused by these diseases among workforces - are dramatic. The WHO estimates that between 2005-2015 income loss (in international dollars) could rise to as much as $558 billion in China, $237 billion in India, $303 billion in Russia and $33 billion in the UK.
Countries such as Brazil, China, Russia and India currently lose more than 20 million productive life-years annually to chronic disease, and that number is expected to grow 65% by 2030. The losses in productivity associated with those diseases like disability, unplanned absences and increased accidents are as much as 400% more than the cost of treatment.
So when was the last time you had your heart checked? If you are one of those dismissing this question as ‘too early for me’ think again! Today, heart disease and stroke are the world’s leading cause of death, claiming 17.2 million lives each year. More heartbreaking is the fact that Indians, young Indians in particular, are genetically more susceptible to heart diseases thanks to the unhealthy habits and changing lifestyles in the country! WHO has estimated that by 2010 Indians will make for 60 per cent of the world's cardiac patients.
According to experts there are personal and professional reasons for this. While clean personal habits do influence a lot in keeping a healthy heart, the time is also ripe for some stringent workplace health ethics that can help reduce heart related diseases. And the general theme of this year’s World Heart Day is exactly this: Working towards Wellness. The World Heart Day is celebrated on September 27 globally and in India on September 28.
Workplace Wellness - Work with Heart
It is a fact that many of us spend over half our waking hours working. This hectic work schedule means unhealthy lifestyles characterised by unhealthy food habits leading to obesity and diabetes, smoking, alcohol, stress, depression, and chronic back problems caused by less or no physical activities. In short, a perfect recipe for cardiovascular diseases! Hence, clean habits and wellness at workplaces that encourage healthy behaviour can go a long way in reducing the risk of many diseases including cardiovascular diseases.
Studies reveal that chronic diseases, which are the primary cause of death and disability worldwide, impact people in their "working" years, thus reducing productivity and increasing costs for the companies. As a part of its campaign this year, World Heart Federation along with its member countries has called upon the workplaces around the world to promote long-term behavioural changes that will benefit employers, employees and communities.
World Heart Federation vouches that the wellness programmes in workplace settings that integrate healthy environments, health promotion and education and health screenings can be a win-win situation for both the employers and employees. A reduction in stress, workforce turnover, organisational conflict, and absenteeism is possible. This will result in improved employee health, employee decision-making ability, a healthier workplace culture, and enhanced employee morale and loyalty.
Personal ethics - Kick the butt
Genuine efforts on the personal front can help to keep a healthy heart and a relaxed lifestyle! There are simple techniques that could be embedded into your daily work and personal lives in maintaining a healthy heart.
According to the World Heart Federation, at least 80% of premature deaths from heart disease and stroke could be avoided if one of the main risk factors namely tobacco and its products are eliminated or at least controlled within manageable limits. The American Heart Association warns that cigarette smoking increases blood pressure, decreases exercise tolerance and increases the tendency for blood to clot.
I know smoking is bad, but how do I quit it?
Most smokers know the dangers of smoking yet do not quit smoking for several reasons. All that is needed is the will, and continuous effort backed by a workable psychological approach. Here are some of the suggestions by the American Heart Association. All this works only if you are really serious about quitting smoking. To begin with,
List out the reasons why you want to quit smoking and read it several times everyday.
You could set a target date to quit.
Try smoking fewer cigarettes.
Don’t buy a new pack till you are done with the old one.
Avoid situations that could trigger your smoking.
Go busy!
Breathing exercises also helps!
Munch carrots or celery sticks or sugarless gum.
And even after all this if someone gets back to smoking it is time to think of the loved ones back home. You don’t want to die early to leave them behind, do you? Don’t punish yourself for getting back to smoking instead, have a strong belief that you still a non-smoker. Try to figure out the reasons why you smoked and think about a different way to tackle the same situation the next time.
Right diet for the heart
An improper diet is the next big reason for cardiovascular diseases. Blame it on the changing lifestyle or hectic schedules or food preferences or utter languor to pick and cook, the fact is you stand to lose your precious life! First up, make sure your diet is heart-friendly!
Cut the fat and salt!
Eliminate processed foods such as canned/instant soups, pickles, papads, and packaged mixes.
Say no to snack items.
Include less oil, and more protein.
Take more fruits and vegetables.
Do not fry or overcook vegetables.
Eat whole grains, low or non-fat diary products.
And if you are not a veggie, choose to eat only lean meat and fish.
Avoid fast foods, soda or carbonated drinks.
Avoid chocolates, pastries and egg yolk.
Heart needs work out too!
The heart is a muscle and you should get active to keep it healthy. Walk for 30 to 45 minutes a day at least 5 days a week. Aerobics, yoga, pranayama, meditation and controlled physical activities are good for your heart. And the next time you go to your office say no to lifts and instead, use the stairs.
Some psychological changes should also be adopted for a healthy heart. Avoid anger. You could do yoga to get rid of your anger. Do not strive too hard for perfection in everything. This could lead to immense stress. Proper planning and execution could help in achieving perfection without much stress. A regular check up on your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels will also help.
This is why World Heart Day 2009 is calling on everyone to “Work with Heart” and encouraging you to make small changes that together could make a big difference in keeping good health and productivity.
“Go Red,” is this year’s Heart Day campaign for women
In 2005, roughly half of the 17.2 million deaths due to heart related diseases were women. World Heart Federation says that heart disease and stroke kills more women each year than cancer, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and malaria combined. Globally, an average of more than 16 women per minute dies of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke.
This year’s “Go Red for Women international campaign” during the World Heart Day aims to reduce cardiovascular disease in women by building global attention and commitment to this disease in women. Here are a few tips for women to keep a healthy heart:
At least 30 minutes of physical exercise is recommended. Go for a brisk walking, or do gardening, and dancing and sports as tennis and basketball.
Drink at least six glasses of water a day.
Keep a check on your blood pressure; take less salt.
Eat more fruits and vegetables and whole grains.
Avoid foods with saturated fats, trans fats and cholesterol. Instead take foods rich in unsaturated or monosaturated fats.
Eat fewer fried foods. Eat lean meat and fish.
Watch your weight. Obesity and overweight could lead to heart attacks and stroke.
If you are a smoker, it is time to quit. Ensure your workplace is free from smoking.
Check regularly your cholesterol and glucose levels too.
Join the movement; keep a healthy heart and as this year’s World Heart Day says, “work with heart.” Say thank you to your heart by adopting a better lifestyle and clean personal habits.
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