World Heart Day being observed today

World Heart Day is being observed today aiming to spread awareness of cardiovascular disease (CVD), heart disease and stroke.

Every year on September 29, World Heart Day is celebrated to raise awareness about the importance of keeping heart fit and fine.

This year, the theme is “harnessing the power of digital health to improve awareness, prevention and management of CVD globally”.

The major goal of World heart day is to educate people about the associated risk factors such as unhealthy diet, tobacco consumption, and physical inactivity, which are likely to increase the risk of CVD.

As per the World Health Organization (WHO), over 17 million people die from heart disease worldwide and the major cause of these fatalities is coronary heart disease or strokes.

The day, however, is celebrated to make individuals aware about the prevention and control of CVD.

Over 90 countries take part in this international observance.

The day was first observed by the World Heart Federation in collaboration with the World Health Organization on September 24, 2000.

Earlier, the day used to be observed on the last Sunday in September till 2011.

However, from 2012 onwards, it has been observed on September 29 after world leaders pledged to reduce global mortality rates from these non-communicable illnesses by 25% by 2025.