September 2010

1964Informal meetings 1966 – 1979Regional Heart Associations 1980Amalgamation  HSFSA 1964Informal meetings 1966 – 1979Regional Heart Associations 1980Amalgamation  HSFSA

to see fewer South African children and adults suffer or die early from heart disease and stroke Education Advocacy Research Prevention HSFSA Objectives Increase awareness and educate the public on causes & prevention Provide support for people and families living with CVDx Promote research into causes and prevention of CVDx and Stroke Engage in advocacy to influence policy-making Raise funds to execute the above objectives.

Top ten causes of death in South Africa CausesDeathsYears of Life Lost (000) (%) (%) HIV/AIDS Cerebrovascular disease 3052 Ischaemic heart disease2742 Lower respiratory infections2343 Violence1933 Tuberculosis1422 Diarrhoeal diseases1323 Road traffic accidents1322 Diabetes mellitus1221 COPD911 Source: Death and DALY estimates by cause,

195 people die per day because of some form of heart and blood vessel disease 33 die per day because of a heart attack 60 die per day because of stroke 37 die per day because of heart failure For every woman that dies of a heart attack, two men die 8 die per hour

Did you know? 80% of premature (<60yrs) heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes can be prevented through healthy diet, physical activity and avoidance of tobacco products?

There's no question that patients can live a healthy, normal, vigorous life after having a cardiac event. The key is to make sure their risk factors are under control through understanding the safe way to exercise, the best way to eat, and how to reduce stress

UN Noncommunicable Disease Summit to focus on long-term killer diseases that threaten economic development in low- and middle-income countries  The growing danger posed by NCDs  Agree what action needs to be taken  There have only been 28 such summits in UN history which highlights the significance of the decision and the magnitude of the problem

Education AdvocacyResearch Anti- Tobacco Salt in Bread CoQ10 Culturally acceptable dietary guidelines

 GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) study a gap between perception and reality ◦ 61% of SA are overweight, obese or morbidly obese ◦ 49% do not exercise ◦ 71% have never dieted ◦ 17% of children <9yrs are overweight ◦ 78% of obese people & 52% of morbidly obese people regard themselves as somewhat healthy or very healthy ◦ 74% think their fellow citizens are overweight & only 34% consider themselves as overweight or obese

 You and your loved ones  Tell your story Stories are a simple way to explain complex matters Share knowledge quickly, easily and seamlessly Stories are non-threatening Listening to stories is invigorating and energizing Bypass defense mechanisms Stories can enhance or change perceptions Stories are easy to remember Stories engage our feelings

 because they help everybody understand what’s at stake  we all have the same goals: for our children to grow up healthy, and then get an education, so they can realize their full potential