World Heart Day is organized by the World Heart Foundation on September 29 each year to inform people about cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which are the biggest cause of death and disability in the world. The day promotes the awareness for preventive measures to reduce the risk of CVDs. It aims to motivate people that by controlling risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity, at least 80% of premature deaths from heart disease and stroke could be avoided.

This year global campaign focuses on looking after our own hearts, and the hearts of our loved ones: My Heart, Your Heart. It’s about saying to yourself, the people you care about and individuals all around the world, “what can I do right now to look after MY HEART and YOUR HEART?”

The main call to action for this year’s campaign is to make a promise. A promise as an individual to get more active, say no to smoking, eat healthy diet and encourage your children to be more active, to say no to smoking and also help your loved ones to take these measures; as a health care professional to save more lives, as a policy maker to implement measures for prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Cardiovascular disease is a group of disorders affecting the heart and blood vessels which supply blood to lungs, brain, kidneys and other parts of the body. World Health Organization (WHO) has a target to reduce premature deaths from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) 25% by 2025, of which CVDs make up the largest proportion.

These days cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of major causes of death and disability in the world, killing 17.5 million people a year (half of all non-communicable-disease related deaths); and over 23 million predicted deaths from CVDs by 2030 (31% global deaths from CVDs).

World Heart Day provides a vital global platform to raise awareness and encourage individuals, families, communities and governments to take action now. Together we have the power to reduce the burden and premature deaths from CVD and helping people everywhere to live longer, better, heart-healthy lives. 

How to prevent cardiovascular diseases?

Many CVDs are preventable by addressing behavioural risk factors such as-

• Eat a healthy diet. Enrich your daily diet with fruits, vegetables, grain products, lean meat, and fish as well as limit the consumption of animal fat, sugar and salt.
• Do not smoke and do not be near people who smoke.
• Exercise regularly. It is advisable to move every day for 30 min in order to accelerate the heart rate and breathing. A lot of physical activity is part of Indians’ work schedule that too can contribute a reduced risk of CVD.  

Continually monitor and control-

• Blood pressure, as hypertension (high blood pressure) may cause myocardial infarction;
• Blood sugar levels especially if you have diabetes.
• Blood cholesterol since high cholesterol increases the risk of myocardial infarction.

Carefully take the medication- Take your medicines regularly as prescribed by the Doctor.

Keep track of your progress and feel proud about what you do for your own health and family’s health.

Know the warning signs of heart attack-

• Mild pain or discomfort in the centre of the chest that lasts more than few minutes
• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, back neck jaw or stomach
• Shortness of breath
• Cold sweat, nausea, lightheadedness

First aid-

• Allow the victim to sit up, or in the position that is most comfortable.
• Loosen any tight clothing.
• Ask if the person takes any chest pain medicine, such as nitroglycerin for a known heart condition, and help them to take it.
• If the pain does not go away promptly with rest or within 3 minutes of taking nitroglycerin, call for emergency medical help.

For details of Coronary heart disease, see at www.nhp.gov.in

 World Heart Day 2017

References-

www.worldheartday.org/

www.worldheartday.org/whdcvd/