(Radio & TV Tonga, Nuku’alofa, 29/09/2016)

Tonga and other countries of the world, celebrate the International Heart Day today, September 29^th with the theme “Power Your Life”.

Heart Specialist of the Ministry of Health – Dr. Sione Lātū says, the heart is one of the most important organs of the human body, it performs up to eight functions which includes distribution of the blood to other organs through the veins or blood vessels.

If any of its blood transfusion process is affected, it can impact the human’s health which causes cardiovascular diseases or heart attack, heart failure and sudden death.

Dr. Lātū highlights the issue in a radio program hosted by Tonga Health to mark the International Heart Day.

He says, they’ve identified steps which can reduce the prevalence of heart problems.

They include more Physical activities, less Alcohol, reduce tobacco consumption, and healthy eating, if the reverse is carried out then one’s health is at risk.

He says the most easily identified symptom of heart problems is chest pain.

Such problems, however is caused by fatty deposits in the arteries which can weaken blood transfusion.

Dr. Lātū adds, it has been evident in Tonga that smoking is the major cause of heart problems.

© Radio & TV Tonga News 2016