World Heart Day is annually observed across the globe on 29th September to create awareness about Cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including heart disease and stroke, one of the world’s leading causes of death(around 18.6 million deaths per year).
- The day also focuses on the prevention of CVDs and their global impacts.
- Harnessing the power of digital health to improve awareness, prevention and management of CVD globally is our goal for Word Heart Day 2021.
- This year World Heart Day emphasis on ‘USE HEART TO CONNECT” & focus on three pillars namely Equity, Prevention, Community.
Background:
i.The idea of World Heart Day was initiated by Antoni Bayés de Luna, President of the World Heart Federation(WHF)(1997-1999).
ii.In 1999, the World Heart Federation(WHF) announced the establishment of World Heart Day and proclaimed the last Sunday of September as World Heart Day.
iii.The first ever World Heart Day was observed on 24th September 2000.
iv.Since 2011, World Heart Day has been observed on 29th September.
Significance:
The day highlights that by controlling risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity, around 80% of premature deaths due to heart diseases and stroke can be avoided.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD):
CVDs are a group of heart and blood vessel disorders that include coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, rheumatic heart disease and other conditions.
Risk factors:
The behavioural risk factors of heart disease and stroke are unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use and harmful use of alcohol.
Prevention:
Quitting tobacco use, reducing consumption of salt in the diet, consumption of more fruit and vegetables, regular physical activity and avoiding harmful use of alcohol reduces the risk of CVDs.
About World Heart Federation(WHF):
President– Prof Fausto Pinto
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland
