Since cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke, are the leading causes of death worldwide, World Heart Day is a reminder to everyone across the globe to take care of their hearts.
To increase public awareness of cardiovascular diseases, their prevention and their global impact, World Heart Day is observed and celebrated annually on September 29.
History
World Health Day was first founded in 1999 with the World Heart Federation (WHF) collaborating with the World Health Organisation (WHO). Originally, World Heart Day was observed on the last Sunday of September, with the first celebration taking place on September 24, 2000.
Significance
According to the World Heart Federation, World Heart Day informs people around the globe that cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke, is the world’s leading cause of death claiming 18.6 million lives each year. It highlights the actions that individuals can take to prevent and control cardiovascular diseases. It aims to drive action to educate 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.
Why are young people more vulnerable?
Typically people think that the risk of heart ailments rises when a man reaches his 50s and a woman crosses the age of 65. But these days, heart illnesses or other disorders that lead to heart problems such as hypertension or high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides are being noticed in people in their 20s, 30s and 40s. The primary reason is the prevalent sedentary lifestyle, stress and unhealthy diet. Modern lifestyle ups the risk of heart attacks among the youth.
“We should consume less amount of calory in our food and avoid eating more carbohydrate, fat, junk and oily food which don’t have any nutritional values. We should eat more vegetables and pulses to avoid heart attack,” said Dr Biswaranjan Mishra.
“A healthy heart is required for good health. We should have sound sleep and we should eat plenty of vegetables and fruits for a healthy heart. We should also remain stress free and do plenty of exercises. Youths are taking alcohol and smoking cigarettes these days which causes nuro hormonal imbalance and heart attacks,” said Dr Manabhanjan Jena.