Speech by Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Health, at the National Heart Week / World Heart Day, 3 October 2015

Singapore Heart Foundation Board Members,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon. I am pleased to join you here today for the celebration of the National Heart Week and the World Heart Day.

2.    In 2014, cardiovascular disease (CVD) which includes heart disease and stroke, accounted for about 30% of all deaths in Singapore. This means that nearly 1 in 3 deaths is due to cardiovascular disease, making it one of the top 2 killers in the nation. CVD is the world’s number one killer, and an estimated 17.5 million people die from CVDs each year, representing about one third of all global deaths[1]. The numbers may seem bleak, but the good news is that cardiovascular disease is potentially preventable by eliminating risk factors such as smoking, physical inactivity and unhealthy diets.

3.    All of us have a choice. The theme for this year’s World Heart Day is “Healthy heart choices for everyone, everywhere”. Indeed, the environments in which we live, work and play every day can affect our ability to make good choices for our heart’s health.

4.    In fact, some people may be motivated to break out of their regular routines and be physically active through fun and interesting activities. The Health Promotion Board’s programmes promoting physical activity take that into account and cater to people with different preferences and interests. One example is Sunrise in the City, which is a gym-based programme that allows working adults to work out before starting work. Another is Fitness at Work meant for those who prefer to exercise after work. There is also Mall Aerobics, a one hour long workout at malls around Singapore to catch the shopping crowd. Finally, there is Sundays @ the Park at parks around Singapore that caters to those who prefer outdoor activities.

5.    Physical activity not only helps you to look and feel good, but it also gives you more energy to enjoy a healthy life. Simple activities, such as doing household chores or taking the stairs instead of the lift, are a good start. You should aim for 150 minutes of physical activity every week for a healthier you. These physical activities should be of moderate intensity which should result in a noticeable increase in breathing and heart rate. Such activities include aerobic activities like jogging, brisk walking, dancing and strength exercises with the use of weights or resistance bands. A good gauge of what constitutes moderate intensity is that during the activity, you should still be able to carry out a conversation but not have enough breath to sing. Regular physical activity can help you reduce the risk of chronic diseases, prolong life and enhance your quality of life.

6.    Constantly making healthy heart choices is an ongoing process. We need to encourage and inspire one another. So let us come together and have an open dialogue on social media channels such as on the Singapore Heart Foundation’s Facebook and Instagram pages using the hashtag #heartchoices and #singaporeheartfoundation. This year, the World Heart Federation is encouraging everyone to send them a Healthy Heart Selfie, where you can shine a spotlight on your healthy heart choices.

7.    I hope that you will enjoy and benefit from the various activities and stage performances at today’s Heart Fair. Let us work together and contribute to the global goal of at least 25% reduction in premature mortality from chronic diseases, including CVD by 2025. Thank you.

[1] Source: World Health Organization: Factsheet for cardiovascular diseases http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs317/en/ (last accessed 18 Sept 2015)