By Sola Ogundipe
TOWARDS addressing the burden of cardiovascular disease, a new partnership between leading health technology company, Royal Philips, with the World Heart Federation, WHF,has been announced to help people better manage their heart health.
Philips launched an online educational hub myheartisunique.comdesigned to drive awareness of preventing CVD through healthy living.
With over 86 million internet users in Nigeria, the company hopes to use this medium to provide cardiovascular disease, CVD, prevention education to Nigerians.
The hub will feature expert interviews; questions for patients to ask their cardiologist; information on living with CVD including early warning signs; and lifestyle-related content such as exercise tips and heart-healthy recipes. The online platform also allows visitors to create a picture of their unique heart using the Facebook app.
Disclosing the development to Good Health Weekly, Business Leader of Patient Care and Monitoring Solutions at Philips, Carla Kriwet, said Philips’ objective is to encourage the public to take personal responsibility for leading heart-healthy lives and raise awareness about CVD.
“Philips is dedicated to providing personalized, integrated cardiology solutions with a focus on prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Our new partnership with the World Heart Federation is an important element of our commitment to drive prevention of CVD by making clear the risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease and to help people, including Nigerians, make better choices and develop healthier habits for life,” she said.
The CEO, World Heart Federation, Johanna Ralston noted: “Heart health is at the heart of all health. When you look after your heart it means eating and drinking well, exercising, stopping smoking… all the things that make you not only healthier, but also feel good and able to enjoy your life to the fullest.
“Our partnership with Philips brings a unique perspective given their clinical expertise and insights into consumers. Together we support the World Health Organization’s goal of reducing premature deaths from cardiovascular disease by at least 25 percent by the year 2025,” she stated.
Over 50 per cent of Nigerians are unaware of CVD and77 per cent are not concerned about personally being at risk of the disease. Yet, most cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by changing behaviours and eliminating risk factors.
Recently, Philips commissioned the Future Health Index that shows only 39 per cent of cardiology healthcare professionals believe their patients have the tools required to better manage their own heart health effectively.
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