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Cardiovascular disease (CVD), often commonly known as heart disease, is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, claiming over 17 million lives every year. World Heart Day is observed annually to raise awareness, promote prevention, and encourage healthy habits. It reminds us to recognise early warning signs and adopt lifestyle changes that protect our hearts.
Visit the Department of Cardiology at Manipal Hospital Salt Lake, Kolkata, for accurate diagnosis and specialised cardiac care.
Synopsis
When is World Heart Day?
World Heart Day is celebrated on 29th September every year. It came into existence through a collaborative effort between the World Heart Federation (WHF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1999. The idea of this day was brought forward by Antoni Bayés de Luna, who served as the president of the World Heart Federation from 1997 to 1999. The first ‘World Heart Day’ was celebrated on 24th September 2000. Initially, this important day was observed on the last Sunday of September, but the date of 29th September was standardised in 2011 to facilitate global participation.
What is World Heart Day?
Despite a high mortality rate, there is still a significant lack of awareness of heart disease. World Heart Day is celebrated to raise awareness about the possible causes of heart disease and the effective ways of preventing it.
‘Cardiovascular disease’, which can either be congenital or acquired, is an umbrella term for a range of disorders that affect the heart and blood vessels. These include:
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Coronary Artery Disease - clogging of arteries due to plaque build-up.
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Arrhythmia - irregular or abnormal heartbeats.
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Heart Failure - the advanced stage of heart disease where the heart fails to pump blood properly, resulting in cardiac arrest.
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Congenital Heart Disease - A Structural heart defect present at birth.
Genetics are likely to play a part in an individual’s chances of getting heart disease. But improper lifestyle choices can also contribute to exacerbating the risk. It is noticed that individuals in developing countries have a higher possibility of heart disease because of a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, junk food, obesity and alcohol.
World Heart Day is focused on educating individuals on the importance of maintaining good heart health and promoting healthy habits like regular exercise, a balanced diet and addiction to alcohol and smoking.
Themes of World Heart Day
Each year, World Heart Day is celebrated with a specific theme that focuses on sharing information on the subject through posters, leaflets, social media posts and more. The World Heart Federation, which is a non-profit organisation, holds this event each year and sponsors a hoard of exciting and engaging events like runs, talks, podcasts, free health check-up camps, games, contests, quizzes and many more to generate widespread public participation.
The theme of World Heart Day 2025 is Don’t Miss a Beat. This theme emphasises timely medical consultation for symptoms of heart disease to facilitate diagnosis and enhance chances of faster, smoother recovery.
Encouraging Public Participation
World Heart Day is a recreational way to bring awareness regarding heart disease while also promoting the different preventative measures. Today, more than 90 countries around the world celebrate World Heart Day, including India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
The popularity of this important day is only possible through active public involvement by both digital and physical means.
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Sharing posts and videos on World Heart Day across various social media platforms encourages public awareness and knowledge.
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Events organised by residential societies, municipalities, schools and professional institutions are a great way to encourage people to participate in celebrating World Heart Day
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Free Health Check-up Camps organised by hospitals and healthcare organisations are an effective way of ensuring public participation.
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Health sessions where specialists are invited to talk about heart health are an effective way of spreading awareness.
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Creating World Heart Day posters, artwork, and crafts can be a fun way to celebrate World Heart Day with friends and family.
How to Maintain Heart Health Every Day
World Heart Day is not just about awareness; it is about action. Small, consistent steps can keep your heart strong and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
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Stay Active: At least 30 minutes of brisk walking, cycling, or swimming most days helps improve circulation, and lowers cholesterol and body weight.
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Eat Healthy: Choose a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Reduce salt, processed foods, and sugary drinks.
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Sleep Well: Aim for 6-7 hours of quality sleep. Poor sleep is linked to high blood pressure and irregular heart rhythms.
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Manage Stress: Chronic stress strains the heart. Try meditation, yoga, deep breathing, or hobbies that relax you.
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Quit Smoking & Limit Alcohol: Smoking narrows blood vessels and raises the risk of clots. Alcohol should be kept within recommended limits.
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Get Regular Check-ups: Blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar should be tested regularly. Early detection saves lives.
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Listen to Your Body: Do not ignore symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue. Timely medical help can prevent emergencies.
Explore More of Our Blogs: Top 10 Early Signs of Heart Disease You Should Not Ignore
Conclusion
World Heart Day is a globally celebrated event that encourages maintaining heart health. So, exercise regularly, choose meals that are good for you, stay hydrated and attend regular health check-ups. If you experience irregular heartbeats, breathing trouble, jaw or chest pain, and other symptoms, get them checked at the earliest.
Consult the best Cardiologist in Kolkata at Manipal Hospitals, Salt Lake, for early diagnosis, expert care, and effective treatment. This World Heart Day, take a step towards a healthier heart. Book your appointments now!
FAQ's
Doctors encourage exercising as it helps in improving blood circulation in the body, helps set a healthy heart rhythm throughout the day and manages body weight.
Medical check-ups should be done regularly to assess one’s health. In case of symptoms like chest pain, jaw pain, dizziness, and nausea, which are common symptoms of heart disease, immediate medical intervention is vital. The Department of Cardiology at Manipal Hospital Salt Lake provides prompt diagnosis and expert cardiac management.
Symptoms of heart disease in women are usually characterised by jaw ache, fatigue or even nausea, whereas symptoms of heart disease in men are usually chest pain, shortness of breath and dizziness.
While the risk of heart disease is higher among older adults and senior citizens, young people are also seen to be affected by heart disease due to a lack of exercise, an unhealthy diet, smoking, alcohol abuse, irregular sleep habits, etc.
The three most important parameters that one should regularly get checked are lipid levels, blood sugar levels and blood pressure. Excess of any of these above the normal range requires maintenance with daily medication and healthy habits; otherwise, more than once a year testing, or else they can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
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