Staying hail and ‘hearty’

The World Heart Federation that heads the WHD is the world’s only global body dedicated to leading the fight against heart disease and stroke via a united community of almost 200 member organisations that bring together the strength of medical societies and heart foundations, from more than 100 countries covering the regions of Asia-Pacific, Europe, East Mediterranean, the Americas and Africa.

Each year 17.3 million people die of cardiovascular disease, 80% in the developing world. The Federation exists to prevent and control these diseases through awareness campaigns and action, promoting the exchange of information, ideas and science among those involved in cardiovascular care, advocating for disease prevention and control by promoting healthy diets, physical activity and tobacco-free living at an individual, community and policy maker level. 

World Heart Day is observed specifically to spread awareness about the four main factors that affect the human heart — use of tobacco, improper diet, lack of physical exercise and excess consumption of alcohol.

Every year, World Heart Day is observed with a different theme. This year, the theme will be ‘Light Your Heart, Empower Your Life’.