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Healthy lifestyle is a choice

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Dr Sim (second right) joins in on the Walk-A-Mile event across the Darul Hana Bridge. Photos: Nadim Bokhari

KUCHING: Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death and disability in the world, killing 17.9 million people a year said Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian.

According to him, leading a healthy lifestyle is a choice that could be done through little things such as eating healthily and getting enough sleep and exercise.

“These little things will affect the state of your health in the years to come.

“Therefore, we have to be committed to what we can do in taking care of our hearts. It all boils down to our habits and keeping a healthy lifestyle,” he said this when officiating at the World Heart Day 2019 organised by the Sarawak Heart Foundation at Kuching Waterfront yesterday.

The response to the event was overwhelming as participants braved the rain in the Walk-A-Mile across the iconic Darul Hana Bridge.

Dr Sim (second right) joins in on the Walk-A-Mile event across the Darul Hana Bridge. Photos: Nadim Bokhari

This year’s Walk-A-Mile included a Virtual Run in Limbang town, done for the first time by a 337-strong group from Limbang and Lawas.

The theme of the run was ‘My Heart, Your Heart’.

“It is about celebrating and connecting with like-minded people. Everyone is to make a promise, a promise as an individual, to get more active, to say no to smoking and to eat healthy.

“Although, we always have the old faithful group of participants who look forward to World Heart Day each year, we can see more new families and individuals joining us.

“We believe the foundation has made its presence felt as we do see a marked increase of participants through the years,” he added.

For the celebration, iconic buildings, monuments and landmarks all over the world are being illuminated on World Heart Day in support of the Light Up Red campaign initiated by World Heart Federation to raise awareness of the world’s number one killer.

Participants braved the rain in the Walk-A-Mile event.

Here, Darul Hana Bridge, Masjid India and Fort Margherita will be glowing in red for a week from Sept 21 to 29 in support of the campaign.

World Heart Day is celebrated every year on Sept 29 and is a global event that sees individuals, families, communities, organisations and governments around the world take part in activities to take charge of their health and that of others.

Dr Sim pointed out that the foundation is blessed all these years with generous sponsors, supporters and volunteers for its activities especially World Heart Day.

“The Sarawak Heart Foundation is appealing for continuous support and contributions towards building a heart-healthy community in Sarawak,” he added.

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