The Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa (HSFSA) focuses on highlighting the importance of heart and brain health as part of this year’s observance of national Employee Wellness Week, which runs until Friday (07/07). Great emphasis is placed on cardiovascular diseases (CVD), given an increase in the incidence of these in South Africa.
CVDs come in the form of heart attacks, strokes, and other circulatory system diseases, and add to the high rate of non-communicable disease cases in the country.
Non-communicable diseases include heart disease, strokes, hypertension, obesity and diabetes, while a communicable disease, by contrast, is one that is spread from one person to another.
An estimated 80% of CVDs can be prevented by adopting and maintaining healthy behaviours.
“Many employees suffer from ‘burnout’ as a result of a demanding job, which interferes with carrying out daily activities,” said Prof. Pamela Naidoo, chief executive officer (CEO) of the HSFSA.
She explained that the vicious cycle is completed when productivity is ultimately affected, in turn.
