CIMAS Health Group has taken the lead in the fight against cardiovascular diseases which are fast becoming leading causes of death.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines cardiovascular diseases as a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels and include coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, rheumatic heart disease and other conditions.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally, taking an estimated 17,9 million lives each year, representing approximately 32% of all global deaths.
Of these deaths, 85% are due to heart attack and stroke.
Speaking on the sidelines of this year’s third edition of iGo Pedal to Wellness 2025 at the Cimas Borrowdale Office Park on Saturday, head of Cimas iGo, Nicola Misi, said the event, held in commemoration of World Heart Day which is observed today, is a response to the worrying trend of cardiovascular disease (chronic diseases included).
“We have noticed that we really have a problem with chronic diseases, so we are trying to get people to live better, to be more active and basically do it in a fun way, just by cycling. You can come here with your family, you can do it by yourself,” she said.
“That’s what we wanted here today, so we’re just hammering on that message that we want people to be as happy as possible.
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“Cimas iGo is all about wellness and we are promoting preventative health. We are promoting active lifestyles, good nutrition and better health overall.”
Misi said as iGo, they remained committed to assisting people with health-related issues beyond the Pedal to Wellness event.
“We want people to continue contacting us after this event and consult us. We can give you guidance on how we can move forward from here,” she said.
The event attracted over 300 participants in the 45km, 25km as well as the children's categories.
WHO posits that out of the 18 million premature deaths (under the age of 70) due to non-communicable diseases in 2021, at least 38% were caused by CVDs.
Meanwhile, a WHO global report on hypertension released this month says 1,4 billion people lived with hypertension in 2024.
The new report released during the 80th United Nations General Assembly, also reveals that only 28% of low-income countries reported that all WHO-recommended hypertension medicines are generally available in pharmacies or primary care facilities.
Zimbabwe has often been affected by drug shortages, including those for cardiovascular diseases.
WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said uncontrolled high blood pressure claimed more than 10 million lives every year, despite being both preventable and treatable.
“Every hour, over 1 000 lives are lost to strokes and heart attacks from high blood pressure and most of these deaths are preventable,” he said.
“Countries have the tools to change this narrative. With political will, ongoing investment and reforms to embed hypertension control in health services, we can save millions and ensure universal health coverage for all.”
Most CVDs can be prevented by addressing behavioural and environmental risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet (including excess salt, sugar and fats) and obesity, physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol and air pollution.
