NCTC Calls for Regular Exercise to Prevent Heart Disease

The National Cardiothoracic Centre (NCTC) at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Ghana organized a health walk on Saturday to promote regular exercise and heart health awareness among Ghanaians, marking World Heart Day 2026. The march, originating and concluding at Efua Sutherland Children’s Park in Accra, coincided with the theme, “Heart disease can hide in plain sight: Don’t miss a beat.”

Attendees traversed major streets of the central business district, emphasizing the importance of regular physical activity. The event also included practical CPR and basic life support demonstrations to equip participants with essential emergency response skills. Dr Kow Entsua-Mensah, NCTC Director, informed journalists that cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a significant cause of death in Ghana, particularly among individuals aged 30 to 50.

He emphasized that many CVDs can be prevented or managed through early detection, healthy lifestyles, and timely medical intervention. Dr Entsua-Mensah urged the public to leverage community and district health facilities for routine health checks instead of waiting for severe symptoms. He advised Ghanaians to monitor their blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels, maintain a healthy weight, engage in regular exercise, limit salt and processed food consumption, ensure adequate sleep, and avoid smoking.

The theme underscores the significance of identifying cardiovascular disease signs and symptoms and taking proactive measures to prevent and control these conditions.