Introduction:
In May 2012, world leaders committed to reducing global mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by 25% by 2025. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is accountable for nearly half of all NCD deaths; making it the world’s number one killer. World Heart Day is, therefore, the perfect platform for the CVD community to unite in the fight against CVD and reduce the global disease burden.
Created by the World Heart Federation, the World Heart Day informs people around the globe that CVD, including heart disease and stroke, is the world’s leading cause of death, and highlights the actions that individuals can take to prevent and control CVD. 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.
World Heart Day is a global campaign during which individuals, families, communities and governments around the world participate in activities to take charge of their heart health and that of others. Through this campaign, the World Heart Federation unites people from all countries and backgrounds in the fight against the CVD burden, and inspires and drives international action to encourage heart-healthy living across the world.
Facts:
- Cardiovascular disease is the world's number one cause of death; killing more people than the victims of other causes of death.
- Most cardiovascular diseases can be prevented through risk control, including: tobacco use, unhealthy diets, obesity and physical inactivity.
- Cardiovascular patients should take the right therapeutic measures after due medical consultation.
- People at risk of cardiovascular disease should identify early symptoms and detect it early.
- Hypertension is one of the leading risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Statistics:
CVD, including heart disease and stroke, is the world’s leading cause of death, claiming 17.5 million lives each year, although these numbers are rising.
Objectives:
- Reduce global mortality due to non-communicable diseases by 25% by 2025.
- Reduce the prevalence of hypertension worldwide.
- Highlight the affordable measures to protect people from CVDs.
- Enhance individual's heart health through reducing the behavioral risks and lifestyles, such as: smoking, physical inactivity, malnutrition.
- Boost healthy eating habits.
- Develop healthy policies that contribute to reduction of cardiac problems, including tobacco control, creating and providing good equipped locations for physical exercise such as walking, cycling... etc., and offering healthy diets to schoolchildren.
Official Date:
- Globally: September 29th, 2018
- Locally: Al-Muharram 19th, 1440H.
Theme:
«My Heart, Your Heart»
This year we are asking people around the world to make a promise ... for my heart, for your heart, for all our hearts
Target Audience:
- Cardiovascular patients.
- Patients with chronic diseases, including: diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol levels.
- Healthcare decision-makers.
- Health professionals.
- The Public.
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