Offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1
17.3 million. This is the number of people who died globally in the year 2005 due to heart disease and stroke. This number represents 30 percent of global deaths. And this number is expected to hit 23 million by the year 2030. In order to bring about awareness about this disease which is the biggest cause of deaths worldwide, the World Heart Federation created World Heart Day in 2000.
Ever since, September 29th is recognized as World Heart Day. One of the main aims of this day is to promote preventative measures that can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Research shows that people who are prone to heart disease and stroke are those who have high blood pressure, or whose cholesterol and glucose levels are elevated. Smoking, obesity, inactivity, and inadequate consumption of fruit and vegetables are other factors that play a role in cardiovascular diseases.
According to the World Heart Federation 80% of premature deaths due to heart diseases can be avoided if people stopped using tobacco, ate right and exercised. Simply put, by making healthier choices people can live longer.
The World Heart Federation in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) organizes awareness events in over 100 countries on this day. The events include public talks, fun runs, health checks, concerts, stage shows, exhibitions, sports tournaments, and carnivals.
This year the World Heart Federation is inviting people all over the globe to join the campaign to protect their own heart while simultaneously creating a change in society. A lot of people the world over don’t have access to smoke-free work environments or healthy food. On this day we need to come together to create and promote heart-healthy lifestyles, so that we can reduce the number of deaths claimed by this disease.
It’s never too late or too early to follow some of the heart-healthy habits listed below:
- Go for an annual checkup.
- Make sure you eat fresh fruits and vegetables and watch your sodium intake.
- Get your daily dose of exercise.
- Don't smoke and limit your alcohol intake.
- Get adequate amount of sleep.
- Maintain a healthy weight.