World Heart Day: Share the Power

In May 2012, world leaders committed to reducing global mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by 25% by 2025 and initiated events to recognize the importance of preserving heart health.

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the world's number one killer and accounts for nearly half of all NCD deaths. World Heart Day is, therefore, the perfect platform for the CVD community to unite in the fight against CVD and reduce the global disease burden.

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The heart, which is just the size of the fist is the strongest muscle in the body. But the heart can become vulnerable from smoking, unhealthy diet patterns or stress. When the heart fails to pump blood and pass it to all the organs of the body, it is referred as cardiovascular disease (CVD).

CVD is a broad term that covers any disorder to the system that has the heart at its center. Any disease of the heart, vascular disease of the brain, or disease of the blood vessel constitutes a cardiovascular disease. The most prevalent cardiovascular diseases include coronary heart disease (e.g. heart attack) and cerebrovascular disease (e.g. Stroke)

Theme for World Heart Day 2017

World Heart Day is a global campaign in which individuals, families, communities and governments participate in activities to take charge of their heart health and that of others.

The World Heart Federation unites people from all countries and backgrounds in the fight against the CVD burden through this campaign. It also encourages heart-healthy living to everyone.

This year, the theme, 'Share the Power' was chosen for everyone to share how they power their heart and inspire millions of people around the world to be heart healthy.

Its easy to take care of the heart. Eating healthy, cutting down on alcohol and stopping smoking can improve your heart health and your overall wellbeing.

So this World Heart Day, let us all make sure we all take action to keep our hearts healthy and share the message to the people we care about and make a lasting difference to our health and the world's health.

Facts on Cardiovascular Disease:

The Global Atlas on cardiovascular disease prevention and stroke gives various figures about the prevalence and mortality rate of heart diseases.

• Each year over 17.5 million die due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) which accounts for 31% of all deaths. 
• Of the total CVD deaths, Ischemic heart disease (e.g. heart attacks) is responsible for 7.3 million deaths.
• Cerebrovascular disease (e.g. stroke) is responsible for 6.2 million of the total CVD deaths. This makes it the number one cause of death in the world.
• One in ten dies due to CVD between the ages 30-70.
• In the United States, every 40 seconds someone experiences a heart attack. Each minute, more than one person dies from a heart disease-related event.

How to Protect your Heart from Diseases?

1. Exercise for 30 minutes everyday:
   Regular physical activity for 30 minutes everyday or 150 minutes every week can help prevent heart attack and stroke. Being active is a great way to relieve stress, control weight, reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels which are all risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
2. Stop smoking and give up tobacco:
   If you stop smoking, the risk of coronary heart disease can be halved within a year and can return to its normal level over time. Avoid smoke-filled environments: exposure to second-hand smoke significantly increases the risk of heart attack.
3. Eat healthy food:
• Including whole grains, plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, lean meat, fish, beans, and foods low in saturated fats can help maintain body weight.
• On the other hand, cutting down on processed meat and processed foods, which often contain high levels of salt can lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
• Limit the intake of alcohol and opt for wine, as it has antioxidants which can protect the heart.
4. Maintain a healthy weight:
   Maintaining ideal body weight, limiting salt intake and controlling blood pressure can lower the risk of heart disease and stroke.
5. Know your numbers:
   Check your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels regularly.
   High blood pressure is the number one risk factor for stroke and a major factor for approximately half of all heart disease and stroke.
6. Know the warning signs:
   Know the warning signs of a heart attack and learn about Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). It can help someone who goes into sudden cardiac arrest.
7. Carefully take your medication:
     If you are already on medication for hypertension or diabetes, stick on to the regimen and consult your doctor regularly to keep track of your condition.

Reference:

1. About World Heart Day - (https://www.worldheartday.org/whdcvd/)
2. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) - (http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs317/en/)
3. Heart Disease Fact Sheet - (https://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fs_heart_disease.htm)

Source: Medindia