World Heart Day was created by the World Heart Federation (WHF) as a global initiative to increase knowledge of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and encourage heart-healthy behavior. Every year on September 29, World Heart Day is marked to encourage heart-healthy behaviors and increase public awareness of cardiovascular diseases.
World Health Day was established in 1999 in partnership with the World Heart Federation (WHF) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The idea of an annual event was conceived by Antoni Bayés de Luna, WHF president from 1997 to 2011. Initially, World Heart Day was celebrated on the last Sunday of September, with a celebration The first celebration took place on September 24, 2000.
Theme 2023
The theme of this year’s World Heart Day is “Use ❤️ Know ❤️”, which means using and knowing how to best use heart emojis because visual language is part of our daily lives. us, where emojis are one of the most popular forms of communication today. , especially among the younger generation, to help attract people’s attention and overcome language barriers.
Understanding the Significance of World Heart Day
According to the World Heart Federation, “World Heart Day informs people around the world that cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, is the leading cause of death worldwide, killing 18.6 million people each year and highlights the steps each individual can take to prevent and prevent cardiovascular disease.” CVD control aims to raise awareness that by controlling risk factors such as smoking, poor diet, and physical inactivity, at least 80% of premature deaths can be avoided. due to heart disease and stroke. World Heart Day emphasizes the following key messages:
Prevention: The significance of preventive measures in reducing the risk of heart diseases.
Awareness: Raising consciousness about heart health and the warning signs of CVDs.
Early Detection: Encouraging regular health check-ups to detect heart-related issues at an early stage.
Lifestyle Changes: Promoting a heart-healthy lifestyle through dietary changes, exercise, and stress management.
Access to Care: Ensuring that everyone has equal access to healthcare and treatment.
According to the World Heart Federation, “World Heart Day informs people around the world that cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, is the leading cause of death worldwide, killing 18.6 million people each year and highlights the steps each individual can take to prevent and prevent cardiovascular disease.” CVD control aims to raise awareness that by controlling risk factors such as smoking, poor diet, and physical inactivity, at least 80% of premature deaths can be avoided. due to heart disease and stroke.
What is cardiovascular disease (CVD)?
CVD alludes to the illness of the heart, blood vessels or vascular malady of the brain. This incorporates heart assaults and strokes. CVD is the number one cause of passing within the world. CVD can be hereditary, but there are certain hazard variables that can be controlled to assist avoid us from enduring from CVD.
Major contributors to the burden of cardiovascular disease include modifiable lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, especially high salt intake, and lack of physical activity. High blood pressure and elevated blood sugar are key factors and can be adequately detected, diagnosed and managed in primary care. One in four adults in the region have high blood pressure, while one in ten have diabetes and less than 15% benefit from effective treatment coverage. In addition, high blood lipid levels and suboptimal management of acute cardiovascular events further exacerbate cardiovascular mortality.
South-East Asia Region
A quarter of the world’s population resides in the South-East Asia Region. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which account for 3.9 million yearly deaths and 30% of all deaths, are the most common no communicable disease (NCD) in the region. Alarmingly, nearly half (48%) of these CVD-related deaths happened before their time, impacting people between the ages of 30 and 70 and placing a heavy socioeconomic cost on families, communities, and nations.
Smoking rates in the region are decreasing thanks to the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Measures. Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Thailand have taken steps to eliminate trans fats from their national food supplies, which could benefit more than 1.7 billion people.
Several countries in the region, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and Timor-Leste, have set national targets to improve the management of hypertension and diabetes in primary health care. early to 2025, in line with the SEHEARTS initiative to provide accommodation for 100 million people with high blood pressure. and/or regimen-based managed diabetes by 2025. India’s target of reaching 75 million people with hypertension and diabetes with standard care by 2025 demonstrates coverage largest non-communicable diseases for primary health care in the world.
Four key areas
Accelerating control of cardiovascular disease is a top priority and the WHO Southeast Asia region is calling for action in four key areas:
First, countries must put cardiovascular disease at the top of the agenda and scale up efforts through commitment and leadership, both at the policy and program levels.
Second, continue to implement evidence-based tobacco control laws consistent with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and the MPOWER program in all countries.
Third, promote healthy eating, with particular emphasis on salt reduction and trans fatty acid elimination by implementing the WHO SHAKE and WHO REPLACE technical packages.
Fourth, scale up programs and service delivery models to improve the detection, diagnosis, and management of hypertension and diabetes in primary care through referral mechanisms. The goal is to achieve full implementation of the WHO HEARTS technical package as well as seamless continuity of care for patients with cardiovascular disease, focusing on reducing complications and managing acute emergencies with appropriate care coordination. Countries must demonstrate their impact by using digital solutions to improve testing coverage and rates.
World Heart Day is a call to action to prioritize our cardiovascular health, both individually and collectively. It reminds us that our hearts deserve our attention, care, and devotion. By understanding the importance of this day, recognizing risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and taking proactive steps to maintain a healthy heart, we can reduce the global burden of heart disease. and live longer, healthier lives. Celebrate World Heart Day as a commitment to a healthy future for all.