Heart attack survivor forms foundation

AFTER overcoming a heart attack, a survivor has started a foundation to raise awareness about the disease.

The Namibia Heart Foundation (NHF) is a non-governmental organisation established in March 2019 to raise awareness about heart diseases and their associated risks.

The foundation was officially launched last Friday in Windhoek. Minister of health and social services Kalumbi Shangula, and 2019 Miss Namibia Nadja Breytenbach, were among the attendees at the launch of the foundation to endorse and support the cause.

Speaking to The Namibian on Monday about his personal experience with heart disease and surgery, Gerhard de Koe said he suffered from a heart attack when he was 39 years.

When I had my first heart attack in 2006, I experienced pain in both arms, felt hot and sweaty, and lost all feeling in my hands,” he explained.

Having endured three surgeries, De Koe said he found the experience extremely traumatising, but managed to get through it with the support of his family and friends.

“I cannot stress enough how vital support from loved ones means. Seeing familiar faces who care and visit you helps you not to give up because it is an extremely traumatising experience,” he reiterated.

De Koe said NHF is in the process of establishing support groups for those suffering heart attacks.

“We would like to establish support groups. We will start in Windhoek, with the aim of eventually establishing them nationwide,” he added.

Last year, Dr Simon Beshir, a cardiologist at the Roman Catholic and Windhoek Central Hospitals, said 30% of all deaths in Namibia are a result of cardiovascular diseases. The doctor at the time told The Namibian that cardiovascular diseases are also responsible for 30% of all hospital admissions and 30% of healthcare costs.

These are similar statistics all over the world, added Beshir.

Making sense of the alarming statistics on the high number of deaths caused by heart diseases, De Koe said these deaths may be due to community members not being knowledgeable about heart diseases.

“The percentage is so high because the people either do not have the funds to receive treatment, are not getting medical help on time, or are not taking their medication consistently,” he stated.

“It could even be a matter of medical staff not being trained on how to identify someone suffering a heart attack, or people in rural areas not having appropriate medical assistance,” he continued.

De Koe said there is a direct link between one’s lifestyle and heart diseases, and thus advised people to exercise regularly, refrain from smoking, and stick to a healthy diet.

With the help of volunteers around the country, NHF aims to create an inclusive, safe and empowered community for individuals suffering from cardiac diseases like stroke by helping, guiding and supporting them and their families.

“The road to recovery is more than just regular exercise and healthy eating, but also includes mental support to help sufferers become holistically healthy again,” reasoned De Koe.

The organisation intends to work with the wider Namibian community to create a healthier and happier nation, and to ensure that the country advances in this regard.

The launch of the NGO was sponsored by Capricorn Group and its flagship brand Bank Windhoek, along with Ogilvy, First National Bank, Standard Bank, StaticGrid, Dr Ludwig Walters and Pick n Pay.