The Tribune

THE Bahamas Heart Centre is kicking off heart health month, recognised annually in February, with an event tomorrow that encourages members of the general public to get moving and donate to a worthy cause.

For every 100 steps made by each participant, $1 will be donated to the Bahamas Heart Foundation, located at Collins Avenue, as part of its “Step to the Beat Initiative”.

Facilitating tomorrow will be Donovan Rolle fitness instructor of Jay Fitness. The event takes place from 7am – 8am at the centre.

Participants can dance, jump, jog or step during a one hour fitness session.

In encouraging Bahamians to take part in the initiative, Dr Julio Acosta, interventional cardiologist at the centre, echoed the important role exercise plays in heart health.

“The fundamental pillars of prevention of heart disease are a healthy diet, regular physical exercise and take the medication indicated by your doctor. That is why we frequently hear ‘exercise regularly’ in the doctor’s office,” said Dr Acosta. “The different guidelines published in USA and Europe for treatment and prevention mentions solid scientific evidence proving that regular exercise helps prevent death and heart disease,” he said.

He also urged Bahamians to move away from a sedentary lifestyle and incorporate exercise as a proactive activity in preventing heart disease.

“It has been found that regular physical activity modifies the risk factors associated with heart disease, lowering blood pressure, reducing blood levels of triglycerides and also of sugar (glucose) as it improves the activity of the insulin, the hormone that regulate the glucose levels in blood.

“Regular physical activity is one of the more efficient mechanisms for weight reduction and remember that overweight produces elevated blood pressure and diabetes. For all these mechanisms, regular physical exercise reduces the onset of these diseases or helps better control of the same, protecting our hearts and arteries,” said Dr Acosta.