BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Dr Chester Kuma, the former head of Surgeon of Solomon Islands has highlighted the importance of taking care of the heart.
Speaking during a health awareness session on the 10,000 Toes campaign official Facebook page, Mr Kuma said that poor lifestyle choices can lead to life-threatening conditions such as heart attacks.
He said that human heart begins beating as early as four weeks in the womb and continues tirelessly throughout a person’s life, beating an estimated 2.5 billion times by the age of 70.
“That’s absolutely amazing, and it shows why we must take good care of our heart,” he said.
Kuma explained that the heart relies on two key arteries, the right and left coronary arteries to function properly.
“When these arteries become blocked, it can result in a heart attack, which can be fatal,” he said.
He highlighted several major risk factors contributing to heart disease, particularly in Pacific communities.
“These include high consumption of fatty foods such as lamb flaps, lamb chops, corned beef and sausages. Excess sugar intake is another concern, as unused sugar in the body is converted into fat, increasing the risk of artery blockage.
“Lifestyle habits such as cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption were also identified as harmful, as both can damage the coronary arteries over time,” Kuma said.
He further said that being overweight significantly raises the risk of heart disease, while diabetes remains one of the leading contributors to heart attacks.
He said that it is important for those living with the condition to manage blood sugar levels.
“Regular exercise and healthy food choices were strongly recommended as key preventive measures. Individuals with a family history of heart disease and those aged 50 and above to be especially mindful of their health, as the risk of heart attack increases with age,” he said.
He said that making the right choices now can help reduce the chances of developing serious heart problems later in life.
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