What is special on September 29 every year? Well, it is World Heart Day.

It is a global campaign that promotes a healthy lifestyle. And spreads awareness about cardiovascular diseases and ways to prevent them. However, many people are unaware of this special campaign’s importance.

This article will explain everything about World Heart Day, its importance, cardiovascular diseases, prevention tips, and some tips for staying healthy.

History of World Heart Day

World Heart Day is one of the important campaigns that has been celebrated every year on September 29. This day was celebrated to increase awareness about cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Which is around 17 million deaths every year because of heart attacks and strokes.

Antoni Bayés de Luna, the president of the World Heart Federation, first proposed this idea for celebrating World Heart Day. In collaboration with the World Health Organization, it was established in 1999. However, the first celebration of World Heart Day was held on September 24, 2000 to 2011.

In 2012, world health leaders set a goal to reduce the death rates from diseases like heart attacks by 25% by the year 2025. And with this goal, September 29 was chosen as the permanent date for celebrating World Heart Day. Currently, more than 90 countries are participating in the event and holding campaigns to raise awareness about heart health and better lifestyles.

Importance of World Heart Day

The heart is one of the most essential organs in the human body. And it is essential to keep it healthy for a long and active life. However, many people are not aware of taking care of their health. Especially related to the heart, which leads to several major diseases like cardiovascular diseases. Which is one of the most common diseases of death globally. As per the report, 17 million people die due to CVDs, which is around 31% of all deaths worldwide.

World health leaders understand this importance. And taking steps towards raising awareness about heart health. Because most of these health issues can be prevented by adopting healthier lifestyles and better care. This is all about World Health Day, which is to spread awareness of the importance of the heart and how to keep it healthy for a better life.

What is Congestive Heart Failure?

Congestive heart failure is a very serious condition. Where the heart does not pump enough blood to fulfill the body’s needs. When this happens, blood can back up in the lungs and other parts, which causes:

• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet
• Difficult to breathe when lying down
• Cough
• Loss of appetite
• Pulse feels fast or irregular

These kinds of symptoms lead to congestive heart failure. And it required immediate care with the best possible treatment.

What are the causes of CHF, and am I at risk?

CHF may result from other health conditions that directly affect your cardiovascular system. This is why it’s important to get annual checkups to lower your risk for heart health problems, including high blood pressure (hypertension), coronary artery disease, and valve conditions. Here are some common causes of CHF:

1. Hypertension

When your blood pressure is higher than normal, it may lead to CHF. Hypertension has many different causes. Among them is the narrowing of your arteries, which makes it harder for your blood to flow through them.

2. Coronary artery disease

Cholesterol and other types of fatty substances can block the coronary arteries, which are the small arteries that supply blood to the heart. This causes the arteries to become narrow. Narrower coronary arteries restrict your blood flow and can lead to damage in your arteries.

3. Valve conditions

Your heart valves regulate blood flow through your heart by opening and closing to let blood in and out of the chambers. Valves that don’t open and close correctly may force your ventricles to work harder to pump blood. This can be a result of a heart infection or defect.

4. Other conditions

While heart-related diseases can lead to CHF, other seemingly unrelated conditions may increase your risk, too. These include diabetes, thyroid disease, and obesity. Severe infections and allergic reactions may also contribute to CHF.

Key Messages for World Heart Day 2024

“Prevention is Better than Cure”

Prevention is Better than Cure, and that is the key message of the celebration of World Heart Day. This means most diseases can be avoided just by taking simple actions toward a healthy lifestyle. Here are some activities that are recommended to stay fit with a healthy heart:

• Balanced Diet: You need to follow a balanced diet and prefer eating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to keep your body and heart healthy. By avoiding foods like sugar drinks and high-fat foods, you can prevent several diseases.

• Physically Active: Staying active is key to preventing diseases and you need to regularly exercise to stretch your body. As per the World Health Organization, 150 minutes of exercise every week is highly recommended to everyone.

• No Smoking: Smoking is the biggest reason for heart disease. You need to say no or stop smoking immediately to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

• No/Limit Alcohol: Drinking alcohol is another major cause of heart disease. By limiting alcohol, you can improve your health a lot.

• Get Enough Sleep: Good sleep will keep your body energized through the day, but it requires enough sleep, around 7-8 hours every day, to stay healthy and energetic and avoid diseases.

5 Tips For A Healthy Heart

Here are some of the best tips to follow to keep your heart healthy:

1. Track Health: You need to keep track of your blood pressure and cholesterol levels and take steps to balance them.

2. Exercise: Try to stay physically active and maintain a good body weight.

3. Quit Smoking: You need to avoid or quit smoking to keep your heart healthy. Learn how to quit smoking for a healthier heart.

4. Stress Management: Managing stress can reduce the risk of heart disease.

5. Eat Healthy Food: You need to eat food wisely and choose foods that are high in fiber such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grain breads.

Conclusion

World Heart Day is one of the crucial events that has been celebrated on September 29 every year since 2000. This event is to raise awareness about cardiovascular diseases. Which are one of the biggest causes of death globally. Today, most health leaders encourage people worldwide to take action toward a healthy lifestyle and ensure they keep their bodies and hearts healthy. We hope this guide helps you understand the importance of World Heart Day, why it is a crucial event, and what actions you can take to have a healthy lifestyle.

FAQs

Q. What are the most common causes of cardiovascular diseases?

The most common causes of cardiovascular diseases are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, poor diet, physical inactivity, and excessive alcohol consumption.

Q. How can I reduce my risk of heart disease?

To reduce the risk of heart disease, you can follow some healthy habits such as eating healthy foods, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, doing exercise, and managing stress.

Q. Why is heart disease more common in low and middle-income countries?

The reason is limited access to healthcare services and lack of health education, which leads to several health issues and less preventive care.

Q. Can stress affect my heart health?

Yes, stress can directly impact your heart health by raising blood pressure or increasing cholesterol levels, affecting the body and leading to several heart diseases.

Q. How often should I get my heart health checked?

Once a year, you should get a heart health checkup, especially if you have diseases like high BP, cholesterol, or a family history of heart disease. By regular check-ups, you can detect early symptoms and prevent them early.