On September 29, every year, the world observes and celebrates World Heart Day. It aimed to raise awareness about heart diseases and how to keep the heart fit and healthy. Furthermore, including heart diseases prevention and its global impact.
World Heart Day recognizes to promote various preventive steps and lifestyle changes to avoid any heart disease like heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and any other condition related to the same.
Since heart links to one’s longevity and survival, any sign of heart trouble should be taken seriously.
HISTORY OF WORLD HEART DAY
In 1999, the World Heart Federation (WHF) along with the World Health Organization (WHO), announced the establishment of World Heart Day. The idea for this annual event was presented by WHF President Antoine Bayes de Luna in 1997–99.
World Heart Day was initially observed on the last Sunday in September until 2011. However, they decided to celebrate every 29th day of September since then.
More than 90 countries take part in this international observance every year.
AIM OF WORLD HEART DAY
World Heart Day was created by the World Heart Federation. World Heart Day informs the world that cardiovascular disease (CVD), including heart disease and stroke, is the leading cause of 18.6 million deaths in the world each year.
It also highlights actions that individuals can take to prevent and control CVD. It aims to educate people that at least 80% of premature deaths from heart disease and stroke can be avoided by controlling risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity.
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.
WORLD HEALTH DAY 2021 THEME
As the world struggles to fight COVID-19, we have never been more aware of the importance of our health and that of our loved ones. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the world’s number one killer, resulting in 18.6 million deaths annually.
“USE HEART TO CONNECT” is World Health Day 2021’s theme. Word Heart Day 2021 aims to harness the power of digital health to improve awareness, prevention, and management of CVDs globally.
USE HEART TO CONNECT
Use Heart to Connect is about using your knowledge, compassion, and influence to make sure that you, your loved ones, and the communities you are a part of having the best chance at living a heart-healthy life.
It’s about connecting with our hearts, making sure we’re filling and nurturing them, and harnessing the power of digital to connect every heart, everywhere.
WHY “WORLD HEART DAY” is IMPORTANT?
1. For your heart and all our hearts.
As the World Heart Federation puts it, September 29 is about asking yourself: “What can I do right now to take care of my heart and yours?”
2. Worldwide events highlights.
World Heart Day is a universal platform that focuses on the millions of people who die of heart disease every year. Through events held around the world, the day provides health and fitness tips so that people can lead a life free from cardiovascular diseases.
3. Encourages people to take action.
By offering various activities, fun, healthy events like outings, running, public talks, concerts, and more, the day can inspire you to fight heart disease and live a longer, healthier life.
WHAT IS A HEART?
The heart is one of the most important organs that deliver oxygen and nutrients to the cells. The heart is a muscular organ located just behind the chest and slightly to the left of the breastbone.
It measures roughly the size of a clenched fist. The heart works all the time, pumping blood through a network of blood vessels called arteries and veins.
The heart and its blood vessels are known as the cardiovascular system.
FUNCTION OF HEART
The heart has four main functions:
- To pump oxygenated blood to other parts of the body.
- Pumping hormones and other important substances to different parts of the body.
- Receiving deoxygenated blood and carrying metabolic waste products out of the body by pumping it to the lungs for oxygenation.
- Maintaining blood pressure.
MEDICAL CONDITIONS RELATED TO THE HEART
Some of the common diseases of the heart are:
1. Coronary artery disease (CAD):
The narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart (coronary arteries). If the arteries suddenly become completely blocked by a blood clot, the condition is called a heart attack.
2. Stable angina pectoris:
Chest pain occurs due to insufficient blood supply to the heart from doing strenuous physical activity. This is because the narrowed coronary arteries are unable to supply enough oxygen-rich blood to the heart during exertion.
Typically, there is relief from symptoms upon taking rest.
3. Unstable angina pectoris:
Chest pain or discomfort that is new in onset, worsens, or occurs even at rest. Unstable angina pectoris is an emergency because it can precede a heart attack, a serious abnormal heart rhythm, or cardiac arrest.
4. Myocardial infarction (MI or heart attack):
When a coronary artery is suddenly blocked, some heart muscle dies due to a lack of oxygen.
5. Arrhythmia (dysrhythmia):
An abnormal heart rhythm, which can interfere with the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively.
6. Congestive heart failure (CHF):
In CHF, the heart is unfit to efficiently pump blood to the body’s tissues. The term congestive heart failure refers to the accumulation of fluid due to a failing of the heart.
7. Cardiomyopathy:
A heart muscle disease causes the heart to become abnormally large, thick, and/or hard. As a result, it weakens the heart’s ability to pump blood.
8. Myocarditis:
Inflammation of the heart muscle.
9. Pericarditis:
Inflammation of the covering of the heart (pericardium).
10. Pericardial effusion:
In this medical condition, there is a collection of fluid between the covering of the heart (pericardium) and the heart itself.
11. Heart valve diseases:
Diseases that affect the valves that direct the flow of blood to the heart.
12. Cardiac arrest:
Sudden stoppage of heart function.
HOW TO OBSERVE WORLD HEART DAY
1. Schedule a day for a check-up.
You can also find a World Heart Day event near you that provides health check-up services. It doesn’t get any easier than this!
2. Get your heart rate up with a fitness event.
Maintaining a healthy weight and a low body mass index (BMI) can reduce your chances of developing heart disease. Try to Prioritize Being Active whether you decide to attend a gym or fitness class or prefer to join a World Heart Day event.
3. Schedule a life-changing seminar.
Most cardiac emergencies happen with someone who can potentially help set up a CPR class and learn how to revive a person in a way that can save lives. Cooking demonstrations, health lectures, and fitness lessons are also significant events for celebrating World Heart Day.
CONCLUSION
World Heart Day is a global campaign during which individuals, families, communities, and governments of the world participate in activities to take charge of their and other heart health.
Through this campaign to fight against the CVD burden, the World Heart Federation unites people from all countries and backgrounds. It also inspires and drives international action to encourage heart-healthy living across the world.
On the whole, heart health for everyone is a fundamental human right and a crucial element of global health justice.