Adults urged to swap TV for walks

The Irish Heart Foundation (IHF) is urging all adults to swap one TV show a day for a 30-minute brisk walk to reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke. 

The advice marks the first day of Irish Heart Week, and comes as a new survey published by the IHF found that only 45% of adults meet the national guidelines of at least 30 minutes of physical activity on five days a week.

The IHF has pointed out that the average Irish adult watches over three hours of television every day. 

“Imagine if you could avoid having a heart attack or stroke just by missing one TV show a day and going for a walk instead? That is the message we are trying to get across to people – to get more to active - so they can reduce their risk of developing these serious diseases and instead increase their chance of living healthier lives,” explained Maureen Mulvihill, IHF health promotion manager.

Ms Mulvihill added that what many people do not realise is that physical inactivity carries the same health risk as smoking, raised cholesterol and high blood pressure.

“Those who are not active are nearly twice as likely to have a heart attack as those who are active. People who are moderately active – such as walking for 30 minutes at a brisk pace – have a 27% lower risk of stroke than those who are not active,” she said.

According to the IHF’s survey, more than eight out of 10 (84%) Irish adults said that walking was their favourite form of physical activity. However, six out of 10 adults were not active enough for their health, and only four out of 10 are aware of the required amount of physical activity per week.

The survey also showed a strong correlation between people’s knowledge of the physical activity recommendations and the amount of activity they engaged in, the IHF said.

Seven out of 10 of the adults who were active said the main reason they were active was ‘for their health and wellbeing’, although enjoyment and feeling energised was cited by six in 10. Others mentioned that it helps them to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.

Activity for a longer time is needed in order to lose weight and to maintain weight loss, and so walking at a brisk pace for 60 to 75 minutes a day is recommended, combined with a healthy eating plan,” said Ms Mulvihill.

Irish Heart Week takes place from today until Sunday 27 September, which is World Heart Day. On that day, about 10,000 people are participating in over 400 walks throughout the country.

To see details about public walks, or to find out more about Irish Heart Week and World Heart Day, see www.irishheart.ie or call 1850 364 364. To raise money for the IHF, contact Tanya Comber on 01 6685001 or email tcomber@irishheart.ie.

[Posted: Mon 21/09/2009]