World Heart Day – 29th September 2020
Every year September 29th is celebrated as World Heart Day. Heart diseases come under the category of non-communicable disorders that is they do not transmit from one person to another.
Heart diseases are commonly called cardiovascular diseases or CVD. Among the many causes of death of human population, heart ailments stand at number one position. The death rates being so high, medical fraternities the world over converged in May 2012 for a noble cause.
They took a collective pledge to reduce heart disease sufferings in people by almost 25% by the year 2025. In this article, let’s focus on various aspects of World Heart Day 2020 concerning its history, importance, themes, and celebration and associated FAQs.
World Heart Day 2020 – History
World Heart Day was first celebrated in the year 1999. The World Heart Federation or WHF joined hands with the WHO or World Health Organisation to raise public awareness on heart health and hence began an annual event.
Antoni Bayes de Luna structured the idea of the program and the event. Mr Luna served as functional president of WHF in the tenure from 1997 to 1999. Initially, for the sake of convenience, the day was conducted on the last Sunday of September. So, the first celebration was marked on September 24th in history pages.
The World heart federation has been instrumental in carrying out the event year after year. It’s a serving nongovernmental organization entrusted with planning, implementation, engaging volunteers, finding resources and setting up a relevant and unique theme every year.
Significance of World Heart Day 2020
As they say, prevention is better than cure. Good lifestyle, healthy diet, exercise, drinking plenty of water and adopting healthy lifestyle habits are some of the critical factors to maintaining a good heart.
A global awareness day exclusively to spread information on heart health is much appreciated the world over. Around 17 million lives and more are caused due to heart ailments every year.
We have to make small changes in our lives to turn unhealthy lifestyles into healthy living choices. This is possible only with the help of massive awareness campaigns on a great day like World Heart Day. Smoking is one major cause that has led to deadly diseases of the lungs, cancer and heart diseases too.
The European study of cardiology in its efforts to reduce the global occurrence of heart diseases has stressed upon the fact that awareness creation and improved education on heart health is the need of the hour.
Among the worldwide population, it casts a strong influence on reducing hypertension, maintaining healthy blood sugar, normal functioning of cardiac structure in turn linked to good brain health.
So we can see that all these factors are interrelated and one functionality has a long-lasting impact on the other part. Through improved discussions, many cognitive complications like stroke and heart attacks are being dealt with positively. Many organizations explicitly teach people about exercises to improve heart health and keep a positive outlook.
World Heart Day 2020 Themes
Medical themes associated with World heart day over the years have been provided below for the reader’s reference:
In 1999, the first celebration was themed “Physical Activity”. This theme is centred on the fact that sedentary lifestyles are one of the significant causes of heart diseases. The theme was aimed at inspiring people to lead a life that involves a certain amount of physical activity like walking, cycling, jogging and hitting the treadmill.
The year 2003 focused on heart health in women and thus themed “Women and Heart disease”. Every year the mortality rate due to heart diseases among the female community is on a significant rise; hence it became a point of discussion for that year.
2008 placed importance on educating people about the symptoms of heart diseases. The year was themed “Know your risk!” enlightening factors that could develop heart diseases later on.
The theme for the year 2019 was “My Heart, your heart”. This theme sends out a powerful message to families, individuals, healthcare professionals, doctors and medical teams. It’s a powerful promise we need to make to take care of ourselves and also our families and well-wishers in matters of the heart.
The theme for 2020 is undecided as yet. The World Heart federation shall update the world with an exciting theme for the current year very soon!
World Heart Day 2020 Celebration
The day is mostly observed by conducting free medical health camps across nations. Educational awareness programs on heart diseases are the major activities for the day.
Spreading information among the general public for prevention and precautions to be adopted for heart care are quintessential parts of the day’s proceedings.
With the use of latest technology, medical experts and heart surgeons use various platforms to educate the public. Discussions on social media platforms, conducting live webinar sessions, and podcasts are digitally engaging events. Apart from these, posters, information leaflets, talks and meetings, walkathon’s and sponsored runs also brighten up the day’s events.
In the medically governed institutions, expert panel discussions, interviews, a collaboration of medical societies, and formal gatherings rule the day’s activities.
This is an internationally celebrated day and hence plays a pivotal role in awareness spreading meets. Educational institutions inform their students about precautions to adhere when it comes to heart care. Medical colleges and establishments occupy front line when it comes to providing exclusive knowledge about the importance of heart care and heart health.
Conclusion
We all consume saturated fats in our diets, which pose a significant risk to our heart health. But certainly, we may not be aware of the ill effects these ingredients are casting on our heart health.
A healthy lifestyle leads to a healthy heart and a high wellness factor for all of us from within. Advisory statements issued by the World heart federation quote the many risks associated with heart complications at a young age in adults.
Through the publication of articles in medical journals, we have access to all many research finding and studies carried out by them. We have to strengthen our heart by following the correct regimen in diet and exercise.
We have to eat foods that increase the good cholesterol while eliminating the bad cholesterol forms our bodies. Aerobic exercises are known to be very useful in improving blood circulation, and hence experts recommend it.
Come, let’s support their mission of reducing heart diseases of all kinds by the year 2025 and help each other to lead healthy lifestyles!
World Heart Day – Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do we celebrate World Heart Day?
Governments of various nations and NGOs, volunteers, organize multiple activities like walkathon’s, marathon runs, public forum discussions, talks by expert panel committees and awareness events including free health camps across the globe.
2. When is World Heart Day Celebrated?
September 29th every year is celebrated as World Heart Day.
3. What is the theme of World Heart Day 2020?
The theme for the current year 2020 is undecided as yet.
4. Which fruit is best for the heart?
Apples are the most recommended fruit for maintaining good heart health. Other beneficial fruits include apricots, bananas and berries.
5. What is the best exercise for the heart?
Exercises that improve blood circulation throughout the body like aerobics, walking, cycling, swimming etc. are good for heart health.
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