-by Jordan Alkins
Guyanese are being called to lace up their sneakers and take a stand against heart disease as the Stride592 SOCA Heart Project prepares for its World Heart Day event on September 27, at the Georgetown Cricket Club Ground.
Heart disease is a silent killer: high blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar can build for years without symptoms, and the first warning is often a heart attack or stroke.
That is why the Stride592 SOCA Heart Project is urging Guyanese to take charge of their heart health now.
That message takes center stage this week with two events: a public workshop tomorrow, Tuesday, September 22, and the World Heart Day Run Walk and Wellness Festival on Sunday, September 27.
Founder Onika Jervis said that the event will offer a range of services.
“You can get everything done at this event talk to counselors get your free voucher we’re gonna have the opportunity for you to just get a again more massage , stretches there’s gonna be yoga at yoga Village opportunity to get some healthy foods and so you know it’s just gonna be a really fun morning,” she said.
Health and wellbeing advocate Dr. Davis-Street is hoping that the workshop is just the beginning, describing it as the first of many conversations aimed at promoting heart health across Guyana.
“Good health starts from a young age the habits you have as a younger person sustain you and stay with you as you get older what we need know is how many of these risk factors are not obvious you could be young and in your 20s and 30s and have hypertension so I think knowing your numbers and your family background you can setting yourself up for a better longer life at least knowing those two things,” he said.
The conversation begins at the workshop, where participants will work together, ask questions and find practical solutions for better heart health.
By Sunday morning, those ideas will turn into action at the Georgetown Cricket Club Ground, where runners, walkers and families will come together for the World Heart Day Run, Walk and Wellness Festival, with health checks, healthy food options and a yoga village.