Nearly 80% of deaths can be reduced by quitting tobacco use, adopting healthier diets
and regular physical activity.
‘World Heart Day theme for this year is, ‘Share the Power’ on how you power your heart to inspire millions to stay heart healthy.’
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.
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?
-
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. - 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. - 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.
- Maintain a healthy weight:
Maintaining ideal body weight, limiting salt intake and
controlling blood pressure can lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. - 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. - 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. - 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:
- About World Heart Day - (https://www.worldheartday.org/whdcvd/)
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) - (http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs317/en/)
- Heart Disease Fact Sheet - (https://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fs_heart_disease.htm)
Source: Medindia
