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Lowering Cardiovascular Risk – Maintaining Health
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) kills more people every year than cancer, accidents, chronic lower respiratory diseases, diabetes and influenza and pneumonia combined. In fact, it is estimated that more than 12 million people world-wide die every year from CVD.
These diseases are often preceded by arteriosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. This is far from being a trivial condition. It can lead to heart attacks, stroke, pulmonary embolism and thrombosis.
The known risk factors for arteriosclerosis include obesity, lack of exercise, hypertension, raised cholesterol levels, diabetes and smoking. Fortunately, a lot can be done to reduce the risk of developing CVD. By detecting these risk factors early and consequently changing or modifying their lifestyle, individuals can stay healthy.
It would seem to be relatively easy to counter the risk factors. All it takes is more physical exercise, a healthier diet, quitting smoking and a few strategies to avoid stress. Physicians all over the world state that this is the best way of preventing these diseases. But there are still too few people willing to listen. Changes in lifestyle are often too difficult to make and even more difficult to maintain. This is why education remains a central element in the battle against diseases of vascular origin.
Bayer HealthCare is taking a unique approach to CVD health and awareness. The company makes a major contribution to the prevention of cardiovascular disease with its diagnostic and therapeutic products, and is now active in the field of health education. One of its projects is the BayRad initiative in Germany. Working with project partners, Bayer HealthCare is raising awareness on the importance of physical exercise in the prevention of lifestyle diseases. The campaign centers on the BayRad, an exercise bike designed to encourage people to cycle for health in around 70 locations in Germany.
The company's international activities are being organized in partnership with the “World Heart Federation.” The goal of this joint project is to inform people about the risks associated with cardiovascular disease and to organize projects promoting primary and secondary prevention. The partnership will run through 2008.
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