The World Heart Federation is a non-governmental organisation that celebrates World Heart Day every year on 29th of September. This day is celebrated to raise awareness about Cardio Vascular Diseases or CVD. Around 17.9 million deaths in the world are due to CVD that includes stroke and other heart diseases. The World Heart Federation through the World Heart Day campaign unites people all around the world to encourage heart-healthy living.
Cardio Vascular Diseases are caused by smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and lack of exercise, air pollution, obesity or family history of CVD. Diseases related to the heart can be avoided by taking proper care of your body.
The theme of World Heart Day 2020 is Use Your Heart to Beat CVD and COVID-19. Here are a few suggested ways to Use Your Heart:
- Eating well and drinking wise.
By avoiding consumption of sugary beverages, juices and food and consuming more unsweetened juices, water and fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains. You can also limit alcohol consumption and pre-packaged foods that are high in salt, sugar and fat. Sugar increases blood sugar levels and can pose a cardiovascular risk.
- Becoming Active.
Exercising is part of a healthy living. It strengthens muscles and helps the heart to pump more blood. It is recommended to exercise at least 30 minutes for 5 days a week. Exercises range from moderate level physical activities like walking, cycling, dancing, etc.
- Avoiding Smoking
Smoking increases the risk of CVD. It is because the chemicals in cigarette smoke causes the blood to thicken and forms clots inside veins and arteries. By quitting smoking you not only keep yourself healthy but also those around you.
- Avoiding Stress
Stress and tension can cause strokes and heart attacks. It has been found that long term stress can build up plaque deposits in arteries. This poses a CVD risk. Maintaining good mental health is therefore important for a healthy body and healthy heart.
World Health Organisation has also launched Global Hearts Initiative in 2016 for supporting governments around the world to take up efforts to prevent CVD. They also introduced through this initiative new packages aimed at strengthening the management of CVDs in primary health care.
