As part of its corporate social responsibility commitment, the health division within Middlesea Insurance p.l.c. organised “Matters of the Heart,” an informative talk about heart health, given by Professor Albert Fenech, Chairperson of the Cardiology Department at Mater Dei Hospital.

The talk was attended by numerous Middlesea Insurance p.l.c intermediaries as well as clients.

Profs Fenech said that cardiovascular disease is the greatest cause of death all around the world. Heart attacks have a 50% mortality rate. However, the good news is that it can be managed in a number of ways, such as lifestyle changes, medication, Percutaneous Coronary Intervention and Coronary Bypass Surgery.

According to the Interheart Study, which was carried out in over 50 countries, the chances of suffering a heart attack are enhanced through:

• Cholesterol
• Smoking
• Hypertension
• Psychosocial factors such as stress, depression and a feeling of not being in control of one’s life
• Diabetes
• Abdominal Obesity
• Physical Inactivity
• A lack of fruit and vegetables in one’s diet

Profs Albert Fenech called for the need to decrease stress in everyday life. Every 3.5 minutes somebody in the European Union dies of work related stress. Thus there is need for a better work-life balance, both at an individual and at an organisational level.

He suggested that for people to live a healthier lifestyle, one should:

• Learn to manage time and prioritise
• Adopt relaxation techniques
• Exercise and eat healthily
• Stop smoking
• Distinguish necessary from unnecessary stress
• Mentally reframe problems

The talk was also addressed by Prof. Frederick Fenech, President of the Malta Red Cross Association, the largest humanitarian organisation in the world. The organisation has been around for a hundred and fifty years and was established in Malta in 1991.

The main functions of the Red Cross Society include: First aid, responding to national and international disasters, ambulance services, search and rescue operations, encouraging blood donations, teaching humanitarian law, support and tracing services for refugees, social support for vulnerable Maltese citizens, educating the younger generation through the Youth Red Cross, educational activities in schools, and fund raising activities.

Recently, the Middlesea Health Division has signed a sponsorship agreement with the Malta Red Cross, allowing for areas of cooperation in the promotion of health and care to the Maltese public.

The Chairman of Middlesea Group p.l.c. Mr Mario C. Grech, in his opening speech thanked all those who were present. He also addressed Prof. Albert Fenech and Prof. Frederick Fenech, thanking them for their contribution over the years to the local health sector.

Middlesea Group is composed of Middlesea Insurance p.l.c, Middlesea Valletta Life Assurance Co. Ltd, International Insurance Management Services Ltd, Growth Investments Ltd, and Progress Assicurazioni S.p.A, all of which are licensed and regulated by their respective Authorities in Malta and Italy. Euro Globe Holdings Ltd, Church Wharf Properties Ltd and EuroMed Risk Solutions Ltd also form part of the Middlesea Group.