NAIROBI, Oct. 6 (Xinhua) -- Medical experts on Saturday blamed Kenya's urbanization for the rising cases of heart disease.

Kenya Cardiac Society President Bernard Gitura told Xinhua in Nairobi that in order to tackle heart diseases, it is important to raise awareness of risk factors.

"Most of the risk factors associated with heart diseases continue to increase in urban centers and are fueled by sedentary lifestyles," Gitura said.

Gitura said the uptake of fast food with lots of salt could lead to increased risk of a heart attack.

He revealed that studies have indicated that vehicles as well as industries that burn coal emit smoke that contributes to respiratory and heart diseases.

He observed that the key risk factors of heart disease include poor diet, excessive use of alcohol, smoking as well as lack of physical exercise.

Gitura said one of the commonest causes of heart disease is heart failure which is caused by hypertension and high blood pressure.

The president said rheumatic heart disease, which is the leading cause of heart surgery in Kenya is brought about by poorly treated sore throat and tends to affect those between the age of 15 and 35.

Gitura said due to Kenya's advances in medical technology, doctors are now able to detect cases of congenital heart disease which is present at birth.

He urged the public to go for screening in order to detect heart diseases at an early stage when it is easier to treat.