{"id":21058,"date":"2021-06-10T10:39:58","date_gmt":"2021-06-10T10:39:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/highatlasfoundation.org\/?p=21058"},"modified":"2021-07-27T09:24:39","modified_gmt":"2021-07-27T09:24:39","slug":"heart-disease-in-morocco-and-empowerment-workshops","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress-haf.ddev.site\/heart-disease-in-morocco-and-empowerment-workshops\/","title":{"rendered":"Heart Disease in Morocco and Empowerment Workshops"},"content":{"rendered":"
– Heart Disease in Morocco and Empowerment Workshops<\/a>, Modern Ghana.<\/strong><\/p>\n By Carlie Daniel<\/span><\/i> <\/p>\n Heart disease is a prevalent chronic disease in Morocco and has been <\/span>one of the leading causes of death<\/span><\/a> over the last 10 years. Heart disease can be prevented through lifestyle changes, but people must be made aware of the steps they should take to effectively curb this health concern. As heart disease is interconnected with the way we care and love our bodies, it can be addressed and, ultimately, reduced through programs that empower women to become more in touch with their bodies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Causes of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) and Heart Disease (HD)<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n There is a multitude of factors that increase the risk of heart disease globally and specifically in Morocco. The first of these is limited access to healthy foods and the subsequent consumption of excessively processed foods. In recent years, convenience has been prioritized over health when it comes to food. For example, there has been <\/span>a shift from personal homegrown foods<\/span><\/a> to processed crops like wheat flour and imported vegetables that use preservatives because healthy foods are more expensive and harder to access. Additionally, the country has also seen <\/span>a spike in high-sugar processed foods<\/span><\/a> that have been shown to negatively affect blood pressure and weight, which are precursors to heart disease. <\/span>Another big risk factor is lack of physical activity<\/span><\/a>, as this leads to the heart having to work extremely hard when people do exercise, thus increasing the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes<\/span><\/a> of activity per week for all adults to maintain good heart health; a recommendation that many people globally fail to meet. Tobacco use is also a huge concern and risk because <\/span>smoking puts extra strain on the heart by tightening arteries<\/span><\/a>. The smoke can create plaque inside the arteries that narrows the space where blood may flow. In a <\/span>2017-2018 study<\/span><\/a>, approximately 13.4 percent of the Moroccan population used some form of tobacco, and 9\/10 smokers began before the age of 18, making tobacco use a factor to especially monitor. Many risk factors can contribute to cardiovascular disease, but these are just a few of the most significant that contribute to CVD.<\/span><\/p>\n The Issue of Heart Disease in Morocco<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n It is important to recognize that heart disease is prominent worldwide, but it is <\/span>a more serious issue in middle- to low-income countries<\/span><\/a> due to the lack of prevention programs, healthcare access, and limited early detection methods. In comparison, Morocco has no early detection methods, whereas any high-risk individuals in the U.S. tend to be diagnosed earlier on in their lives. Additionally, in rural areas of Morocco, the limited access to healthcare resources is a big issue once the disease has been developed because <\/span>methods of treatment are less effective or inadequate<\/span><\/a>. Therefore, it is key to focus on primary prevention mechanisms like lifestyle changes to try to prevent heart disease from occurring in the first place.<\/span><\/p>\n Lifestyle Changes & the Future<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n After addressing the risk factors for HD and the extent of the issue have been addressed, the next step is to discuss how people can work towards preventing CVD. To lower the risk of developing heart disease, there are <\/span>a variety of recommendations related to risk factors<\/span><\/a>: stop tobacco use, reduce salt intake, consume natural homegrown fruits and vegetables, increase daily physical activity, and watch for warning signs like high blood pressure, diabetes, and weight gain. These prevention mechanisms are the ideal method in changing the course of heart disease in Morocco and can prevent additional comorbidities, including stroke.<\/span><\/p>\n Heart Disease & Empowerment Workshops<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
\nHAF-UVA Intern<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n