September 29th – World Heart Day
World Heart Day aims to drive action to educate people that controlling risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity can prevent at least 80% of premature deaths from heart disease and stroke.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, killing approximately 17.9 million people each year. Four out of five cardiovascular deaths are related to heart attack and stroke, and one third of these deaths occur prematurely in people under 70 years of age.
World Heart Day is a global campaign in which individuals, families, communities and governments around the world take part in events to take care of their own and others' heart health. Through this campaign, the World Heart Federation brings together people from all over the world to share experiences in tackling the burden of cardiovascular disease, and inspires and promotes international action to promote a healthy heart lifestyle around the world.
There are a variety of causes of cardiovascular disease, from smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity, to air pollution and less common conditions such as Chagh's disease and cardiac amyloidosis.
Facts:
- Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide;
- In 2019, 17.9 million people died from cardiovascular disease, which is 32% of all deaths in the world. Of these deaths, 85% were related to heart attack and stroke;
- More than three-quarters of deaths from cardiovascular disease have occurred in low- and middle-income countries;
- Of the 17 million premature deaths (under 70), 38% were related to cardiovascular disease;
- Most cardiovascular diseases can be reduced or prevented by focusing and changing habits such as smoking, unhealthy diet and obesity, physical inactivity, and alcohol consumption;
- It is important to detect cardiovascular disease as soon as possible so that treatment can begin.
Resources:
https://www.who.int/health-topics/cardiovascular-diseases/#tab=tab_1
https://world-heart-federation.org/world-heart-day/about-whd/
