'Unhealthy lifestyle main cause of heart disease'

There is a rising prevalence of heart disease in the country due to unhealthy life choices, the Kenya Cardiac Society (KCS) has said.

KCS Chairperson Loice Mutai said the youth are at high risk of cardiovascular disease due to tobacco use. Dr Mutai said majority of tobacco users start in adolescence, with parents who smoke playing a big role in encouraging the vice.

"If a parent smokes the children are three times more likely to smoke," said Mutai, pointing out that 15,000 people die from the effects of tobacco globally every day. "One in every two smokers will die of tobacco related diseases. Second-hand smoke kills more than 600,000 non-smokers every year including children."

Recent statistics by World Health Organisation revealed that over eight billion sticks of cigarettes are smoked in Kenya every year. The figure rose compared to that in 2013 despite sustained anti-smoking campaigns by civil society groups. Unhealthy diet and physical inactivity were also identified as high risk factors.

Mutai said overweight and obese children are likely to stay obese into adulthood and more likely to develop diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases at a younger age.

"Physical activity learned in childhood continues into adulthood contributing to your child's reduced risk for heart disease and stroke later in life. Each year physical inactivity contributes to more than three million preventable deaths," she said yesterday during the World Heart Day.

Thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon Peter Odhiambo, said the country has made tremendous strides in dealing with heart disease. He said however, that more funds need to be diverted towards adequate equipment to ensure that every Kenyans can access the service.

There are currently over ten cardiac surgeons in the country and about 100 open heart surgeries are performed every year, according to statistics.

This year's World Heart Day under the theme "Healthy Heart Choices for Everyone Everywhere" attracted over 1,500 participants who after a walk were being screened for a heart disease. Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret is among institutions that participated in the event.