At the launch of a series activities in the context of World Heart Day 2019, the alarm was raised as regards the increasing number of patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and related diseases. Some 3,000 to 3,500 Mauritians die from health complications related to CVD, while some 1,300 heart surgeries are carried out each year compared to 600 in 2006.
It is crucial to educate and motivate the population to keep their hearts healthy by taking key actions at an early stage to control risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity.
World Heart Day 2019, observed on 29 September, is a global campaign during which the public is sensitised about CVD while highlighting actions that can be taken to prevent and control CVD. The theme chosen to mark this year’s event is “My Heart, Your Heart”.