World Heart Day: A Global Call to Action for Heart Health
29 September 2024
Observed on September 29th each year, World Heart Day is a global campaign aimed at raising awareness about cardiovascular diseases (CVD), their prevention, and the importance of maintaining heart health. It was founded by the World Heart Federation (WHF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1999 to help reduce the burden of heart-related diseases around the world. World Heart Day was originally observed on the last Sunday in September, with the first celebration taking place on September 24, 2000.
Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death globally. In the early 2000s roughly 17 million people (about the population of New York) worldwide died from cardiovascular diseases annually. Many of these deaths were the result of coronary heart disease or stroke. Although cardiovascular diseases are often considered to be afflictions of people living in developed countries, where sedentary lifestyle is common, more than 80% of deaths from these diseases occur in low-and middle-income developing countries.
The primary causes of these cardiovascular diseases include an unhealthy diet. Diets high in saturated fats, trans fats, salt and sugars can all contribute to obesity, high cholesterol. With the lack of exercise, physical inactivity, which is a sedentary lifestyle, can lead to weight gain and even elevated cholesterol levels. The usage of tobacco damages blood vessels raises blood pressure and reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood which increases the risk of coronary artery disease and stroke. A family history of heart disease or other cardiovascular conditions increases an individual’s risk as genetics play a massive role in the influence of cholesterol level, blood pressure and other heart disease risk factors. Excessive alcohol consumption can raise blood pressure and contribute to obesity. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) can damage blood vessel walls and contribute to the hardening of arteries (atherosclerosis), increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and heart failure.
This World Heart Day, we urge everyone to take a moment and think about their own hearts—and the hearts of those around them. Let’s get regular checkups, stay active, and take small but meaningful steps toward better heart health.