In a recent media conference held at the Health Promotion Bureau, Dr. Sherine Balasingham, Consultant Community Physician of the Health Ministry’s Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) division, sounded the alarm on a concerning trend: a significant increase in deaths and admissions due to Ischemic heart diseases. This surge, she emphasized, is driven by a combination of unhealthy lifestyle choices and environmental factors.
The culprits behind this rise are familiar adversaries: unhealthy food habits, tobacco usage, excessive alcohol consumption, sedentary lifestyles, stress, and air pollution. Dr. Balasingham underscored the gravity of these issues, highlighting their role in exacerbating cardiovascular diseases – a leading cause of mortality worldwide.
According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular diseases claim nearly 18 million lives annually, making it the primary cause of death globally. Sri Lanka mirrors this trend, with cardiovascular diseases ranking as the leading cause of death over the past decade. Ischemic heart diseases, encompassing conditions like coronary heart disease and coronary artery disease, have accounted for over 52 percent of deaths reported in government hospitals in 2020 alone.
While the statistics paint a grim picture, Dr. Balasingham offered a ray of hope by outlining preventive measures individuals can adopt. She stressed the pivotal role of dietary habits, advocating for limited salt and sugar intake – no more than 5g of salt and 30g of sugar daily. Additionally, she emphasized the importance of lifestyle modifications, including smoking cessation, reduced salt consumption, increased fruit and vegetable consumption, regular physical activity, and moderation in alcohol consumption.
Beyond individual responsibility, Dr. Balasingham underscored the necessity of supportive health policies. Creating environments conducive to healthy choices, she argued, is pivotal in motivating and sustaining healthy behaviors. From affordable access to nutritious foods to promoting active lifestyles through urban planning, comprehensive health policies play a vital role in curbing the epidemic of cardiovascular diseases.
In conclusion, the surge in heart attack deaths and admissions is a clarion call for action. It demands a multifaceted approach encompassing individual behavioral changes, public health interventions, and policy reforms. By addressing the root causes and implementing evidence-based strategies, we can stem the tide of cardiovascular diseases, safeguarding the health and well-being of communities worldwide.
