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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Heart diseases responsible for 57% of deaths in Serbia

Belgrade, 26 September 2007

Serbian State Secretary of Health Nevena Karanovic stated today, on occasion of September 30, the World Heart Day, that 57% of all deaths in Serbia are caused by heart and cardiovascular diseases.

Snezana Stevanovic, Nevena Karanovic and Djurdja Kisin

Author: Tanjug

At a press conference held at the Tanjug International Press Centre, Karanovic said that every year, heart attack and stroke are responsible for 17.5 million deaths in the world, and added that 80% of these deaths take place in undeveloped and developing countries.

Factors causing these diseases are inactivity, alcohol, cigarettes, feeble diet and high blood cholesterol.

Women and men are equally susceptible to these illnesses, which was not the case two years ago when the disease was more frequent with men, said Karanovic.

She also warned of the results of a survey conducted in elementary schools according to which 15% of children are obese, 10% have high blood cholesterol and 5% have high blood pressure at the age of 15.

Djurdja Kisin, representative of the public health institute Milan Jovanovic Batut, stressed that heart and cardiovascular diseases can be prevented if risk factors are put under control.

Kisin announced that the World Heart Day will be observed on September 30 at the plateau in front of the St Sava’s temple. Sportspeople and children from the orphanage in Zvecanska Street will take part in the observation and citizens will be able to check their blood pressure, weight and levels of sugar and cholesterol.

Belgrade City Secretary of Health Snezana Stevanovic specified that the Secretariat will join in the observation to promote healthy life. Observation of the World Heart Day is organised by the World Heart Federation dedicated to the prevention and control of heart and cardiovascular diseases with the aim of attaining longer and more quality life worldwide, particularly in developing and undeveloped countries.