Lancet Laboratories participated in the promotion of Heart and Stroke Month in Polokwane and were part of the Limpopo Medi-Clinic promotion at Savannah Mall.

As part of Heart and Stroke Awareness Month, Limpopo Medi-Clinic in Polokwane will provide free cholesterol and blood pressure tests in Savannah Mall on 29 and 30 September.

ER24 and SANBS will participate. SANBS will collect blood and will do blood grouping for the public.

The first 100 people who present themselves will receive a free cholesterol test but an unlimited number of people could have their blood pressure tested and can donate blood.

Stroke
Charlene Murray of the Stroke Survivors Foundation, herself a stroke survivor, will also be present.

» Approximately 240 South Africans suffer from strokes each day

» Of these, 25% are fatal and only half will make a full recovery

» It is perceived that only elderly suffer strokes

» In fact, 25% of stroke sufferers are of an economically active age*

» And 2.5% are below the age of 30*

» There is no formal stroke support structure in South Africa

» Invariably, the burden falls on family members

» The first two months after the stroke are critical in recovery

» And the next two years are crucial

» Medical care and rehabilitation is a costly affair, and not many are fortunate enough to be in the position to kick-start their care… let alone sustain their rehabilitation.

Heart attacks
It can happen in a heartbeat... literally. Heart disease is one of the biggest killers in South Africa and it does not discriminate.

Heart disease was once almost exclusively the affliction of white men with middle-aged spread, but thanks to a largely sedentary lifestyle, bad diet and the stress of modern living, it can strike anybody at any age.

The primary cause of heart disease is arteresclerosis, where a fatty deposit builds up on the inside of the arteries. This results in the vessels narrowing, thus restricting the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart and when they become too narrow or a clot forms a heart attack occurs, which actually damages a section of the heart.

Who is at risk?
Anyone with:
A family or personal history of heart disease
High cholesterol (>3mmol/L)
High blood glucose levels (>100mg/dL)
High blood pressure (>130mmHg)
High levels of triglycerides (>1.7mmol/L)
Abdominal obesity (>102cm for men and >88cm for women)
Insulin resistance
Physical inactivity
Smoking

What are the signs of a heart attack?
Heavy pressure, tightness, crushing pain or unusual discomfort in the centre of the chest.
A discomfort that feels similar to indigestion that lasts for 15 minutes or longer, fades and then returns at a later stage.
Pain in the shoulders, arms, neck or even the jaw.
Sweating, nausea, faintness or shortness of breath.
There may be a rapid, weak pulse.

The good news is that the heart starts to heal almost immediately after the attack and although there will be scar tissue on the damaged area you can minimise the chances of it happening again by making some important lifestyle changes such as:

Following a healthy eating plan, which is low in saturated fats and high in grains, fruit and vegetables and lean protein. Know your numbers. Have regular tests to check your waist circumference, blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Stop smoking.

Remember your heart is a muscle and it needs exercise to stay healthy. So moderate physical activity at least three to four times a week is advised.

www.strokesurvivors.org.za