Havana, Sep 29 (IANS): Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of deaths in Cuba, claiming over 20,000 lives each year, an expert said here.
Eduardo Rivas, president of the Cuban Society of Cardiology, told reporters Friday that problems with coronary arteries cause 80 percent of the deaths from heart failures, mainly due to acute cardiac strokes.
Rivas warned a growing number of young Cubans are suffering from these ailments and called for preventive measures to reduce the impact of cardiovascular diseases on Cuba's work force, reported Xinhua.
In addition to controlling chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol, the expert stressed the importance of physical exercise, healthy diet and maintaining proper weight.