Loss Prevention 30 Oct, 2024 Alarming Rise in Cardiovascular Incidents Emma MacCarthy Loss Prevention Officer The Club has seen a worrying surge in cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidents, notably heart attacks and cardiac arrests. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), CVDs are the leading cause of death worldwide, claiming an estimated 17.9 million lives annually. In the UK, heart and circulatory diseases account for more than 1 in 4 deaths. This troubling trend highlights the importance of keeping your heart healthy and promptly seeking medical advice if symptoms arise.  Download PDF Signs and Symptoms of a Heart Attack: Chest pain Pain in other parts of the body Shortness of breath Excessive sweating Nausea or vomiting Dizziness Feeling of impending doom How to Lower Your Risk of Having a Heart Attack: Eat a healthy, balanced diet Exercise regularly Quit smoking Maintain a healthy weight Manage stress Monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol levels Limit alcohol consumption A cardiac arrest happens when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood, usually due to an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) caused by a malfunction in the heart’s electrical system. This emergency often strikes without warning, causing the individual to collapse, become unconscious, unresponsive, and either stop breathing or breathe abnormally. Conversely, during a heart attack, the person is typically conscious and breathing. However, a heart attack can lead to a cardiac arrest. Seafarer health and wellbeing is vital to the safe and effective operation of ships. Our enhanced Pre-Employment Medical Examination (PEME) programme instils confidence in our Members, ensuring that all seafarers are in optimal health before joining their vessels. Please see our Loss Prevention Bulletin on Cardiovascular Disease for more information or contact our Loss Prevention department for details of our PEME Programme .