Every year on September 29 ,World Heart Day is celebrated. The day is observed with an aim to bring attention to the cardiovascular disease which is considered as world’s leading cause of death and also to spread awareness about its prevention and their global impact.
World Heart Day was established by the World Heart Federation in collaboration with the World Health Organization. The idea for this annual event was conceived by Antoni Bayés de Luna, president of WHF from 1997–99. Until 2011, World Heart Day was first originally observed on the last Sunday in September, with the first celebration of the annual event taking place on September 24, 2000.
This year’s theme on World Heart Day is ‘Use Heart for Every Heart’.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death globally. Reportedly an estimated 17 million people worldwide die from CVD every year. The major causes of these deaths are coronary heart disease or strokes.
According to Doctors and medical experts ,unhealthy diets, a sedentary lifestyle, high stress levels and fast-paced social obligations massively contributes to heart problems in younger people. According to a report , in India out of the 28,449 heart-related death cases in India in 2021, 19,744 were from age group of 30-60. And the number of heart patients seem to rise in India over the years.
According to the WHO, India comprises of at least one-fifth of the 17.9 million cardiovascular disease-related deaths globally ,mostly seen among the younger generation getting succumbed to this disease.
Also as per a study by a US-based clinic also , over-exercising can also trigger the heart badly. Additionally using dietary supplements — increases calcium and vitamin D levels which leads to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Apart from this diabetes may be considered responsible for heart diseases among the younger people. And in comparison to other countries India comprises more diabetic patients.
The international observance of this day includes participation of more than 90 countries. This observance of World Heart Day proves to be an effective method for spreading awareness about cardiovascular health.
If we look back we see how Indians have been vulnerable to this cardiovascular disease . we recently lost some remarkable personalities who died young owing to heart ailments like Actor Siddharth Shukla , legendary singer KK and comedian Raju Srivastav .
World Heart Day reminds us to tackle and control the health risk factors such as tobacco, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity according to the World Heart Federation (EHF) through controlling these risk factors atleast 80% of premature deaths from heart disease and stroke could be prevented.
