"This is scary stuff, but what I want people to realise is that 80% of heart disease is preventable through lifestyle changes. We don't have to just lie down and die," says Dr Mungal-Singh.
Her comments come in the lead up to Heart Awareness Month, which runs throughout September 2011, with World Heart Day falling on 29 September.
"This is a big event in our calendar," she says. "It's our chance to really raise awareness of heart disease and its prevention and to this end we have teamed up with Clicks Clinics nationwide to offer heart health assessments at nominal cost to the public."
Willie Jordaan, head of professional services at Clicks comments, "We are very excited to have partnered with the Heart and Stroke Foundation for Heart Awareness Month in September and are committed to supporting their life saving work. All Clicks Clinics will be offering four heart health screening options throughout the month and consumers can choose the screening option that best suits their needs. These range from a simple "One heart health check" - blood pressure and BMI to a Lipogram - comprehensive cholesterol test for those with high cholesterol in their family history. With prices starting from just R10, every member of the public can afford to go for a screening test and we encourage everybody to take part and have their heart health assessed."
There are many misconceptions surrounding heart disease, especially the widely held beliefs that women do not fall victim to heart disease and that young people are largely immune. "This is not true," says Dr Mungal-Singh. "More and more young people in their 30s are affected by heart attacks and strokes. Moreover, each year, more women die from heart disease than from all cancers combined."
Says Dr Mungal-Singh, "The message we want to send out is twofold. Firstly, we want people to realise that heart disease affects every family in South Africa. This has tremendous implications for individuals, families, the country and the economy. Secondly, we need people to understand that it can be beaten - and easily. A healthy diet, exercise and not smoking at all help in the fight against heart disease and even if each South African just does one thing to improve their heart health this September, that's a step in the right direction.'
September 29 will see countries around the world collaborating to raise awareness of the global scourge of heart disease under the banner "One World, One Home, One Heart". The message here is that the whole world needs to unite against heart disease and that individuals in every home around the world have a part to play.
South Africa is no exception and the Heart and Stroke Foundation, in addition to the Clicks screening tests, will be running radio and TV adverts, giving interviews, making information available to the public and reinforcing the message that heart health begins in the home.
Dr Mungal-Singh concludes. "Do one thing for our heart this September - get tested. It could save your life."
For more information, go to www.heartfoundation.co.za.
