‘Get more active’ – Irish Heart Foundation urges Kilkenny people

By COLIN BARTLEY

PEOPLE in Kilkenny are being told to get active and “escape their chair this September” in an effort to reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease.

That’s the message coming from the Irish Heart Foundation(IHF) as it aims to raise awareness over the dangers of prolonged sitting to the heart.

Sitting for too long increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. The IHF says people in Kilkenny sit on average 7.3 hours a day and this high level of sedentary behaviour increases the risk of heart disease and stroke by 147%

As part of its #EscapeYourChair heart month campaign, the Irish Heart Foundation has created a range of resources to help people sit less and move more. These include an online sitting time calculator, a Deskercise video, a Move More Walking Challenge, and a Couch to 5k guide leading up to a park run, the Irish Heart Foundation Heart Hero 5k in Kilkenny Castle at the end of the month.

Tara Curran, SlÍ na Sláinte Coordinator with the Irish Heart Foundation said: “80% of premature heart disease and stroke is preventable and as physical inactivity is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, we are encouraging the people of Kilkenny and nearby to make some small changes to incorporate more physical activity into their day.”

“It is recommended that we get 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity at least five days of the week, but this does not cancel out the damage caused to our health by sitting for long periods of time.”

Log on to www.EscapeYourChair.ie to learn more and get your free training plan.