Hypertension prevalence in South Africa as recorded in the Study on Global
Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE), conducted by the World Health Organisation, is
the highest ever reported by a nationally representative survey of people aged
50 and over for any country.[1]
Also in 2013,
Salt Watch was established through a multi-sectorial coalition group to
undertake a public awareness and education campaign to encourage South Africans
to reduce their salt intake. The Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa was
nominated as the implementing body of the campaign, with the support of the
National Department of Health. The campaign consists of a television and radio campaign
and providing information and education materials. Salt Watch brochures are
available free of charge, in five different languages (www.saltwatch.co.za ).
The Heart and
Stroke Foundation, in a joint venture with Unilever, have also created a Salt
Calculator to help people estimate their salt consumption. The salt calculator
estimates salt intake based on the frequency by which common foods are
consumed, and then provides feedback on current intake and tips on making
better food choices. The tool was developed by using local research and
statistics to guide the inclusion of food categories. Sodium content for more
than 200 branded foods was collected online and in-store to provide a
representative and reliable tool.[2]
Professor
Pamela Naidoo, CEO of The Heart and Stroke Foundation says ‘my
reason for wanting to prevent stroke is indeed because largely it can be
prevented if you make positive life-style choices. Despite having a genetic
vulnerability or a familial history for raised blood pressure, if you have good
eating habits by choosing foods with low salt levels and refrain from adding
salt to cooked food, and engage in physical activity which can also help to
reduce stress levels, you can reduce your risk for a stroke. The effects of
stroke can have a devastating impact on you, your family and your ability to
lead a productive life.’
Another
stroke support organization engaged in awareness raising and risk factor
management is The Stroke Survivors Foundation South Africa. The Stroke
Survivors Foundation provides post-discharge support for stroke survivors,
their families and caregivers. This includes information on stroke and how to
manage risk factors. Information is shared through social media, a website,
print materials and at stroke support groups.
Having
experienced the lack of statutory stroke support in the community after a
stroke in his thirties, George Scola co-founded the Stroke Survivors Foundation
in 2010. The sole purpose for creating the Stroke Survivors Foundation is to
assist stroke survivors, their families and their caregivers, survive the
trauma and give them the knowledge needed to endure the incident and their
recovery.
George says
‘a stroke is a silent killer; this does not mean that we just have to accept it
and fight it on our own. Having survived the stroke is the easy part.
Recovering, adjusting and acknowledging the disability, patience for the
survivor and the caregivers, staying motivated and staying positive… this is
the difference between conquering and overcoming it, or taking it lying
down’.
‘My reason for wanting to prevent a stroke is because
I have personally experienced the destruction it can cause to a stroke survivor’s
life, the turmoil and negative impact on their families, spouses, children and
parents!
With the exception of medical reasons and in order to
prevent this type of destruction from happening to others, it is important to
look after ones health by not smoking, exercising regularly and following a
healthy eating plan.’
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