KARACHI, Oct 30: Cardiovascular diseases, identified as the major cause of death, could be averted in 50 per cent of the cases through a healthy lifestyle which also includes regular exercise and balanced dietary practices.

A recent report of the cardiovascular diseases unit at the WHO headquarters, Geneva, reminding that heart disease was a number one killer while cardiac treatment is expensive, painful and long, has strongly recommended adequate measures to prevent the disease.

Calling upon individuals to take care of their heart, it mentioned that more fruit, margarine, vegetable oil, less cream and butter reduces myocardial infarction and stroke by 73 per cent.

Particularly warning people against obesity, the report maintained that even a mild adult onset obesity has significant risk. A ten-kilogramme weight gain increases the risk by 1.25 times, while 20kg weight gain increases the risk by 2.56 times.

Smoking was also identified as a major risk factor and it was reported to kill around 3.5 million people every year. The trend, if allowed to go unabated, the death toll was feared to reach 10 million by the year 2020. Even a single cigarette was found to have disastrous on heart functions.

The report recommended adopting exercise as part of lifestyle, because it would help reduce the risk of dying prematurely, besides decreasing the risk of developing heart diseases and even colon cancer by 50 per cent.

Exercise also help build and maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints and helps people with chronic, disabling conditions and improves their stamina. It can also help in management of painful conditions like back pain or knee pain.—APP