Brussels, 26/09/2000 (Agence Europe) - On the occasion of the first World Heart Day, celebrated last Sunday, David Byrne, European Commissioner for Health Protection and Consumer Affairs, provided his backing for an initiative that has the merit of raising public awareness as to what they themselves can do to lessen the risk of their succumbing to heart diseases (first cause of mortality in both industrialised and developing countries). The Commissioner declared: "We should all be aware that simple daily activity like a thirty minute walk, or biking, gardening, dancing or even housework have been proven to help prevent heart diseases. One of the main causes of heart problems, besides smoking and unhealthy dietary habits, is physical inactivity. A daily thirty-minute walk brings huge benefits to personal health and well being. But too many people still do not get around to making some form of exercise their daily routines".
The support provided by the Commission to the European initiative for the prevention and care of cardiovascular diseases aims mainly at convincing citizens to alter their lifestyles to prevent these problems and the risk of being exposed to heart diseases, that inactivity multiplies twofold. By doing so, the Commission is responding to a recommendation by the NGO European Heart Network and the European Society of Cardiology which have urged European decision-takers to facilitate exercise in working and school environments. The World Heart Day, organised by the World Heart Federation, with the backing of the World Health Organisation and Unesco, will now be celebrated at regular intervals.