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Tag: heart diseases

  • When dignitaries unite against heart diseases, sudden death

    When dignitaries unite against heart diseases, sudden death

    How can heart diseases be prevented? What help is there for those who cannot afford treatment? These and more formed the basis of the First Annual Black Tie Gala to raise funds in support of cardiovascular care in Nigeria. It was organised by the Tristate Heart Foundation, chaired by former Osun State Governor Chief Bisi Akande. The event attracted four Southwest governors and other dignitaries, reports JOSEPH JIBUEZE.

    Less than 20 years ago, the top three killers disease in Africa were malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. But, according to experts, cardiovascular disease is currently one of the leading causes of death in adults over 30 in sub-sahara Africa, followed by stroke. Globally, 17.3 deaths from heart diseases are said to occur per year, a figure expected to rise to more than 23.6million by 2030.
    Medical experts say globally, low and middle-income countries bear 80 per cent of the world’s death burden from cardiovascular diseases due to the inability of those who heart-related ailments to afford treatment.
    To offer help to less privileged Nigerians who are unable to afford treatment, the Tristate Heart Foundation (THF) was launched. Chaired by former Osun State Governor Chief Bisi Akande, it plans to sponsor a minimum of 150 open-heart surgeries in the next one year. The foundation held its first Annual Black Tie Gala last Tuesday to raise N500million in support of cardiovascular care in Nigeria.
    The foundation’s sister organisation, the Tristate Cardiovascular Associates (TCA), made up of a team of cardiologists, has carried out over 100 open heart surgeries and numerous cardiac interventions at the Tristate Heart & Vascular Centre. However, 60 per cent of the patients were unable to pay their bills.
    THF is a non-for profit organisation and an offshoot of TCA, established to raise awareness of heart diseases and support indigent patients especially those under the age of 10. The foundation is also committed to raising funds to support research.
    Many have benefited from THF’s free health screening and health care services through TCA. One of such beneficiaries is an 18-year-old student and footballer on whom the Tristate team performed the first open heart surgery without charge.
    On the foundation’s objectives, Akande said: “Let’s change the fortune of that one child out of 100 children who will be born with a heart disease. Let us rescue that man and that woman whose level of income cannot support open heart surgeries.”

    Creating awareness
    The foundation has been creating awareness on prevention of heart diseases. Through TCA, it emphasises that early diagnosis and treatment saves lives. It said the key to preventing cardiovascular/heart disease and staying generally healthy is managing risk factors such as high blood pressure, high total cholesterol or high blood glucose.
    The recommended tests to undergo for optimum cardiovascular health include blood pressure, fasting lipoprotein profile (cholesterol), body weight to prevent obesity and diabetes and testing for blood glucose to avoid insulin resistance.
    They also recommend quitting smoking (which causes preventable premature deaths), increasing physical activity (exercise) and a having healthy diet.
    According to TCA, the recognised risk factors for heart disease include being overweight, cigarette smoking, high cholesterol or triglycerides, diabetes millitus, and a positive family history of coronary artery disease and hypertension.
    The experts say both men and women face the threat of heart diseases. Ways to prevent it include developing healthy habits, avoiding smoking, relaxing and reducing prolonged exposure to stress hormone which can damage arterial linings, getting regular check-up, drinking moderately, which can reduce risk of heart decease by 25 per cent, having regular but protected sex (at least twice a week), avoiding soda and sweetened beverages, and staying active through regular workouts.
    The experts say high blood pressure is the number one cause of stroke because it adds to the heart’s workload and damages inner linings of arteries and organs over time.
    The TCA said those at higher risk are those with a family history of high blood pressure, people of African descent, people 35-years and older, overweight or obese people, those who eat too much salt, consume too much alchohol, use birth control pills and are not physically active.
    “Having high blood pressure does not mean that you’re tense or nervous. You can be calm and relaxed and still have high blood pressure. You usually can’t tell if you have it. The only way to know if your blood pressure is high is to have it checked regularly,” a pamphlet produced by Tristate Heard and Cascular Centre says.
    Signs of stoke, the experts say, include sudden weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body, sudden numbness, sudden difficult in seeing in one or both eyes, sudden loss of balance or coordination, sudden confusion or trouble understanding, sudden difficulty in speaking and sudden severe and unusual headache.

    Why foundation
    was launched
    Akande said the foundation would fund free treatment and research: “We are here to join hands and prevent the next heart from stopping prematurely. We are here to prove to the world that we are noble people with the capacity to find solution to our problems.”
    He said time has come for meaningful contribution to health and educational sector through provision of adequate infrastructural support, skilled manpower and commitment to research. Enough of over analyzing the problems. What we need now are solution providers,” he said.
    Akande narrated the experience of an 11-year-old boy who was wrongly diagnosed by a professor of medicine and had been moved around hospitals for five years. The wrong treatment, he said, led to multiple organ failure; the parents were told that what was left was a heart transplant. The boy, he said, would need a minimum of $200,000 every year to live.
    According to the former All Progressives Congress (APC) national chairman, the government must create an enabling environment for those in private and public practice so as to cut down cash outflow associated with seeking medical care overseas.
    He urged the Federal Government to remove high import duty on medical equipment and consumables by granting tax holidays to medical devices’ manufacturers and encouraging local production.
    “Above all, we must ensure and enforce health insurance scheme for our people because if health insurance is made compulsory, then organisations like ours will have fewer objectives to contend with. We must stop paying lip service to the health sector because a healthy nation is a productive nation.
    “I, Bisi Akande, currently a 78-year-old man, have decided to do my part by dedicating myself completely to an initiative that will improve the health of Nigerian citizens and prevent us from needless deaths.
    “I am glad that I and every member of the board of Tristate Heart Foundation have found a worthy partner in Tristate Cardiovascular Associates. Our objective as a foundation is to make life meaningful. And we hope to achieve it by raising funds for indigent patients especially children under the age of 10.
    “We plan to sponsor a minimum of 150 open heart surgeries in the next one year, embark on aggressive public campaign on prevention of heart diseases among our people and to fund research effort in the area of cardiovascular medicine,” Akande said.
    President/Chief Executive Officer of TCA, Prof Kamar Adeleke, said the funds would be “spent on caring for people”. Calling for more support, he added: “We also want to spend money on research.”
    Members of the foundation’s board include Mr John Momoh (Vice-Chairman), former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Joseph Sanusi, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) president Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), Mrs Clare Omatseye, among others.

    Governors pledge support
    At the event were governors Akinwumi Ambode (Lagos), who chaired the event, Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) and Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), as well as former Minister of Health Prof Isaac Adewole.
    Aregbesola said he used to think he had immunity from illnesses until his daughter, a physician, after checking his blood pressure, told him: “Daddy, you’re going.”
    “I said: ‘Going to where?’ She said I had to see a doctor. If what I went through is anything to go by, then we must support this effort. My daughter tells me hypertension is a killer, so I’m for this,” he said.
    Ambode said Lagos, with its large population, “must come frontally to support the initiative.” He added: “We all must push this initiative forward.”
    The governor a donation of N100million, adding that he was sure most of the beneficiaries would be “Lagosians”.
    Amosun said government cannot address the challenges of the health sector alone. “That is why the private sector is needed.” He announced a donation of N5million in his personal capacity, and N10million on the state’s behalf.
    Ajimobi, whose speech drew laughter, said the event coincided with his 36th wedding anniversary.
    “I knew coming here would save my life because all the activities my wife and I planned might end up in a heart attack. At this age, one has to be very careful,” he joked.
    The governor, 66, praised the foundation’s initiatives, saying: “What is being done here today is an epitome of nobility. It is service to humanity,” he said.
    Announcing his donation, the governor joked that he had already talked too much, an indication that he would donate little.
    Besides, he said when it came to solving financial problems in Yorubaland, it was the younger ones who handled it while the elders only talked. He, however, donated N5million, and another N5million on the state’s behalf.

    Federal Government’s
    health plans
    Prof Adewole said non-communicable diseases were erroneously believed to be the problem of the affluent, adding that the rich and poor were affected.
    After identifying the risk factors such as use of tobacco products, unhealthy diet, harmful alchohol intake, physical inactivity and air pollution, he said: “These factors are aggravated by poor awareness, harmful cultural practices, beliefs and misconceptions by the public.”
    The minister said 80 per cent of working class adults in urban areas in Nigeria do not meet the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended level of physical activity, such as 30 minutes of exercise daily, five days a week. He added that about 30.3 to 74.6 per cent of Nigerian children and youth aged five to 25 are not sufficiently active.
    On reducing tobacco use, he said the National Tobacco Control Act of 2015 would help more people shun tobacco use.
    “This is important because tobacco is the singular most import risk factor for cardiovascular and other non-communicable diseases,” he said.
    Even those who inhale tobacco smoke are also at risk, he said, adding that 29.3 per cent of adults (6.4milion adults) were exposed to tobacco smoke when visiting restaurants, hotels and similar places.
    Calling for the adoption of a healthier lifestyle, he said: “I am advising that fruits and vegetables should be included in every meal we take. Fatty foods and fizzy drinks loaded with sugar should be reduced and possibly avoided.”
    He urged the private sector to invest in health in order to stop capital flight and build trust in the health system. He sector, he added, can directly be a net contributor to economic growth.
    Among others plans, the minister said he would ensure the National Agency for Food Administration and Control (NAFDAC) plays a crucial role in regulating cross border movement of unhealthy food such as those high in saturated fats, trans-fatty acids, free sugars, excessive salt and other harmful ingredients.
    “Similarly, the Federal Ministry of Health through NAFDAC would enforce product labeling with ingredient lists and nutrition information labels to facilitate healthier choices,” he said.

  • When dignitaries unite against heart diseases, sudden death

    When dignitaries unite against heart diseases, sudden death

    How can heart diseases be prevented? What help is there for those who cannot afford treatment? These and more formed the basis of the First Annual Black Tie Gala to raise funds in support of cardiovascular care in Nigeria. It was organised by the Tristate Heart Foundation, chaired by former Osun State Governor Chief Bisi Akande. The event attracted four Southwest governors and other dignitaries, reports JOSEPH JIBUEZE.

    Less than 20 years ago, the top three killers disease in Africa were malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. But, according to experts, cardiovascular disease is currently one of the leading causes of death in adults over 30 in sub-sahara Africa, followed by stroke. Globally, 17.3 deaths from heart diseases are said to occur per year, a figure expected to rise to more than 23.6million by 2030.

    Medical experts say globally, low and middle-income countries bear 80 per cent of the world’s death burden from cardiovascular diseases due to the inability of those who heart-related ailments to afford treatment.

    To offer help to less privileged Nigerians who are unable to afford treatment, the Tristate Heart Foundation (THF) was launched. Chaired by former Osun State Governor Chief Bisi Akande, it plans to sponsor a minimum of 150 open-heart surgeries in the next one year. The foundation held its first Annual Black Tie Gala last Tuesday to raise N500million in support of cardiovascular care in Nigeria.

    The foundation’s sister organisation, the Tristate Cardiovascular Associates (TCA), made up of a team of cardiologists, has carried out over 100 open heart surgeries and numerous cardiac interventions at the Tristate Heart & Vascular Centre. However, 60 per cent of the patients were unable to pay their bills.

    THF is a non-for profit organisation and an offshoot of TCA, established to raise awareness of heart diseases and support indigent patients especially those under the age of 10. The foundation is also committed to raising funds to support research.

    Many have benefited from THF’s free health screening and health care services through TCA. One of such beneficiaries is an 18-year-old student and footballer on whom the Tristate team performed the first open heart surgery without charge.

    On the foundation’s objectives, Akande said: “Let’s change the fortune of that one child out of 100 children who will be born with a heart disease. Let us rescue that man and that woman whose level of income cannot support open heart surgeries.”

     

    Creating awareness

    The foundation has been creating awareness on prevention of heart diseases. Through TCA, it emphasises that early diagnosis and treatment saves lives. It said the key to preventing cardiovascular/heart disease and staying generally healthy is managing risk factors such as high blood pressure, high total cholesterol or high blood glucose.

    The recommended tests to undergo for optimum cardiovascular health include blood pressure, fasting lipoprotein profile (cholesterol), body weight to prevent obesity and diabetes and testing for blood glucose to avoid insulin resistance.

    They also recommend quitting smoking (which causes preventable premature deaths), increasing physical activity (exercise) and a having healthy diet.

    According to TCA, the recognised risk factors for heart disease include being overweight, cigarette smoking, high cholesterol or triglycerides, diabetes millitus, and a positive family history of coronary artery disease and hypertension.

    The experts say both men and women face the threat of heart diseases. Ways to prevent it include developing healthy habits, avoiding smoking, relaxing and reducing prolonged exposure to stress hormone which can damage arterial linings, getting regular check-up, drinking moderately, which can reduce risk of heart decease by 25 per cent, having regular but protected sex (at least twice a week), avoiding soda and sweetened beverages, and staying active through regular workouts.

    The experts say high blood pressure is the number one cause of stroke because it adds to the heart’s workload and damages inner linings of arteries and organs over time.

    The TCA said those at higher risk are those with a family history of high blood pressure, people of African descent, people 35-years and older, overweight or obese people, those who eat too much salt, consume too much alchohol, use birth control pills and are not physically active.

    “Having high blood pressure does not mean that you’re tense or nervous. You can be calm and relaxed and still have high blood pressure. You usually can’t tell if you have it. The only way to know if your blood pressure is high is to have it checked regularly,” a pamphlet produced by Tristate Heard and Cascular Centre says.

    Signs of stoke, the experts say, include sudden weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body, sudden numbness, sudden difficult in seeing in one or both eyes, sudden loss of balance or coordination, sudden confusion or trouble understanding, sudden difficulty in speaking and sudden severe and unusual headache.

     

    Why foundation was launched

    Akande said the foundation would fund free treatment and research: “We are here to join hands and prevent the next heart from stopping prematurely. We are here to prove to the world that we are noble people with the capacity to find solution to our problems.”

    He said time has come for meaningful contribution to health and educational sector through provision of adequate infrastructural support, skilled manpower and commitment to research. Enough of over analyzing the problems. What we need now are solution providers,” he said.

    Akande narrated the experience of an 11-year-old boy who was wrongly diagnosed by a professor of medicine and had been moved around hospitals for five years. The wrong treatment, he said, led to multiple organ failure; the parents were told that what was left was a heart transplant. The boy, he said, would need a minimum of $200,000 every year to live.

    According to the former All Progressives Congress (APC) national chairman, the government must create an enabling environment for those in private and public practice so as to cut down cash outflow associated with seeking medical care overseas.

    He urged the Federal Government to remove high import duty on medical equipment and consumables by granting tax holidays to medical devices’ manufacturers and encouraging local production.

    “Above all, we must ensure and enforce health insurance scheme for our people because if health insurance is made compulsory, then organisations like ours will have fewer objectives to contend with. We must stop paying lip service to the health sector because a healthy nation is a productive nation.

    “I, Bisi Akande, currently a 78-year-old man, have decided to do my part by dedicating myself completely to an initiative that will improve the health of Nigerian citizens and prevent us from needless deaths.

    “I am glad that I and every member of the board of Tristate Heart Foundation have found a worthy partner in Tristate Cardiovascular Associates. Our objective as a foundation is to make life meaningful. And we hope to achieve it by raising funds for indigent patients especially children under the age of 10.

    “We plan to sponsor a minimum of 150 open heart surgeries in the next one year, embark on aggressive public campaign on prevention of heart diseases among our people and to fund research effort in the area of cardiovascular medicine,” Akande said.

    President/Chief Executive Officer of TCA, Prof Kamar Adeleke, said the funds would be “spent on caring for people”. Calling for more support, he added: “We also want to spend money on research.”

    Members of the foundation’s board include Mr John Momoh (Vice-Chairman), former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Joseph Sanusi, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) president Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), Mrs Clare Omatseye, among others.

     

    Governors pledge support

    At the event were governors Akinwumi Ambode (Lagos), who chaired the event, Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) and Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), as well as former Minister of Health Prof Isaac Adewole.

    Aregbesola said he used to think he had immunity from illnesses until his daughter, a physician, after checking his blood pressure, told him: “Daddy, you’re going.”

    “I said: ‘Going to where?’ She said I had to see a doctor. If what I went through is anything to go by, then we must support this effort. My daughter tells me hypertension is a killer, so I’m for this,” he said.

    Ambode said Lagos, with its large population, “must come frontally to support the initiative.” He added: “We all must push this initiative forward.”

    The governor a donation of N100million, adding that he was sure most of the beneficiaries would be “Lagosians”.

    Amosun said government cannot address the challenges of the health sector alone. “That is why the private sector is needed.” He announced a donation of N5million in his personal capacity, and N10million on the state’s behalf.

    Ajimobi, whose speech drew laughter, said the event coincided with his 36th wedding anniversary.

    “I knew coming here would save my life because all the activities my wife and I planned might end up in a heart attack. At this age, one has to be very careful,” he joked.

    The governor, 66, praised the foundation’s initiatives, saying: “What is being done here today is an epitome of nobility. It is service to humanity,” he said.

    Announcing his donation, the governor joked that he had already talked too much, an indication that he would donate little.

    Besides, he said when it came to solving financial problems in Yorubaland, it was the younger ones who handled it while the elders only talked. He, however, donated N5million, and another N5million on the state’s behalf.

     

    Federal Government’s health plans

    Prof Adewole said non-communicable diseases were erroneously believed to be the problem of the affluent, adding that the rich and poor were affected.

    After identifying the risk factors such as use of tobacco products, unhealthy diet, harmful alchohol intake, physical inactivity and air pollution, he said: “These factors are aggravated by poor awareness, harmful cultural practices, beliefs and misconceptions by the public.”

    The minister said 80 per cent of working class adults in urban areas in Nigeria do not meet the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended level of physical activity, such as 30 minutes of exercise daily, five days a week. He added that about 30.3 to 74.6 per cent of Nigerian children and youth aged five to 25 are not sufficiently active.

    On reducing tobacco use, he said the National Tobacco Control Act of 2015 would help more people shun tobacco use.

    “This is important because tobacco is the singular most import risk factor for cardiovascular and other non-communicable diseases,” he said.

    Even those who inhale tobacco smoke are also at risk, he said, adding that 29.3 per cent of adults (6.4milion adults) were exposed to tobacco smoke when visiting restaurants, hotels and similar places.

    Calling for the adoption of a healthier lifestyle, he said: “I am advising that fruits and vegetables should be included in every meal we take. Fatty foods and fizzy drinks loaded with sugar should be reduced and possibly avoided.”

    He urged the private sector to invest in health in order to stop capital flight and build trust in the health system. He sector, he added, can directly be a net contributor to economic growth.

    Among others plans, the minister said he would ensure the National Agency for Food Administration and Control (NAFDAC) plays a crucial role in regulating cross border movement of unhealthy food such as those high in saturated fats, trans-fatty acids, free sugars, excessive salt and other harmful ingredients.

    “Similarly, the Federal Ministry of Health through NAFDAC would enforce product labeling with ingredient lists and nutrition information labels to facilitate healthier choices,” he said.

  • Cardiologist cautions Nigerians on heart diseases

    Cardiologist cautions Nigerians on heart diseases

    NIGERIANS have been advised to be conscious of what they eat and drink to minimise the risk of heart-related diseases.

    A cardiologist based in the United States (U.S.), DrSabu George, yesterday alerted that many of staple food and beverages being consumed are prone to heart-related diseases.

    He listed them as: bread, pounded yam, noodles, sugar, Coca Cola, Fanta, Pepsi, Seven Up and cassava, among others.

    Dr George said that consuming the identified items on regular bases is dangerous to health as it could leads to cardiovascular-related diseases.

    Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a class of diseases that involve the heart or blood vessels.

    George spoke at the opening of three-day free health screening programme tagged: “Medical Mission” organised by the Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos.

    According to him, most cardiovascular-related diseases could be controlled, if detected at the early stage.

    His words:  “Cardiovascular diseases are a silent killer, and if not detected at the early stages, the sufferer is at high risk and can lead to sudden death. It is more expensive to treat the ailment and cheaper to prevent it by maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, checking cholesterol, avoiding too much of carbohydrates and sugar.

    “We can avoid cardiovascular diseases by eating less of carbohydrates, but more of vegetables and drinking more water than fizzy drinks.

    “We will ensure that any person detected to have such ailment will be given proper care by providing free treatment and there will be regular consultations, to monitor the patients.”

    The cardiologist, a Nigerian, who has resided in the U.S. for more than two decades urged Nigerians to eat more of moinmoin, vegetable, melon soup and other soups.

    Moinmoin, he said, is almost a complete meal because it doesn’t have side effects.

    The council’s Sole Administrator, MrOlumideOlayomi, said the free health screening was aimed at helping the sufferers of heart-related diseases and other ailments.

    Olayomi said the programme was initiated to encourage the residents to know their health status.

    The council chief said: “The purpose of this year’s programmeorganised by the council and the National Sports Lottery Foundation is to help people in the community to know their health status and to also receive adequate treatment.

    “The health of people in the community is critical to the progress of this local council development area, because it will boost our economy because healthy people are always productive.

    Olayomi said that many people were expected to benefit from the exercise, after which any critical health issues would be referred to the general hospitals and teaching hospitals, for further treatment.

    He said: “The major aspect of this exercise is the dedication to capacity building development. The expert will teach our doctors and nurses on the basic cardiovascular health issues.’’

    Wife of Lagos State Governor Mrs. BolanleAmbode hailed Olayomi for the bold initiative to further boost the effort of the state government in the health sector.

    Mrs. Ambode said government realises the necessity of good health, hence placed premium on healthy atmosphere.

    She said: “The health of the people is their wealth because how healthy the people are, will directly determine the scope and extent of their productivity whether as government employees or staff of corporate concerns.

    ”The government’s attention to the medical needs of its workforce and residents of the state is evident in the continuous improvement of health infrastructure in the state.”

    Former Secretary to the Lagos State Government Princess AderenleAdeniran-Ogunsanya commended the council chair for the giant step taken.

    “If you put the right people in the right place especially those with better exposure, Nigeria will move forward. The council being the nearest to the people could help drive government’s healthy living campaign,” she said.

     

  • The health risk of Inactivity

    The health risk of Inactivity

    New statistics indicate that physical inactivity is the main cause of approximately 21 to 25 percent of breast and colon cancers, 27 percent of
diabetes and 30 percent of heart diseases. Recent reports from the National Cancer Institute found that fewer than 5 percent of adults get at least 30
minutes of moderate exercise per day.

Physical inactivity directly equates to six percent of annual deaths and that is statistically equivalent to the deaths caused by diabetes and
nearly the amount of deaths associated with tobacco use. Escalating statistics highlight physical inactivity as the fourth leading risk factor
for premature death.

To complicate the situation, the term "physical activity" should not be mistaken for "exercise". Exercise, is a subcategory of physical activity
that is planned, structured, repetitive, and purposeful. Significantly less people engage in exercise in comparison to proper physical activity levels.

Lack of physical activity and exercise has become the emerging origin of excessive weight gain, a depressed immune system, Type 2 diabetes and a variety of cardiovascular or heart conditions. Type 2 diabetes can cause numerous other health conditions as well including stroke, kidney disease, nerve pain, blindness, amputation and even death if the condition goes undiagnosed.

Regular moderate intensity physical activity and exercise – such as walking, cycling or participating in sports – has significant benefits for one’s health beyond weight loss.  Trends indicate that the public believes exercise is only to lose weight.  Healthy weight individuals justify engaging in insufficient physical activity and exercise levels due to perceived good-health status.

Physical activity and exercise is needed for all – regardless of weight, health condition or age – to achieve optimal health and fight off disease.

*How to start an exercise program*

Researchers have found that individuals who set physical activity and exercise goals are more likely to achieve them. Without a plan, old inactivity habits recur. Begin each week by creating an exercise plan with goals for each day. At the end of each day, mark off the activities that have been completed and the goals achieved.

Planning too much, too quickly is the leading cause of failure. Set small, realistic goals such as taking a walk after work for 15-20 minutes. An ideal activity plan should incorporate aerobic exercises such as walking or biking as well and strength and flexibility training.

Water is the most important component in the human body, accounting for 50 to 60 percent of one’s total body mass. Drink at least eight glasses of
water each day when engaging in physical activity and exercise. Dehydration is a leading cause of illness, injury and poor performance.

Safety always comes first. Appropriate body position and alignment will help reduce the stress on the body and decrease the likelihood of experiencing an injury.  It’s important to engage in stretching, warm up pre-exercises and cool down post-exercises to reduce soreness.

Increase the intensity and length of the workouts slowly to allow one’s body to adapt and improve. Always listen to the body and how it feels. In the beginning, soreness following an exercise program is expected, but beware of constant, severe pain.

Stop exercising if you experience any of these signs: excessive pain or pressure in the chest, dizziness, light-headedness or nausea. It’s important to check with a physician prior to beginning any exercise program for the first time.

Dr Cory Couillard is an international healthcare speaker and columnist for numerous newspapers, magazines, websites and publications throughout the world. He works in collaboration with the World Health Organization's goals of disease prevention and global healthcare education. Views do not necessarily reflect endorsement.