World Heart Day 2024: World Heart Day is observed every year on 29 September to raise awareness of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and improve heart health around the world. It serves as a reminder to individuals, governments, and health organisations to take proactive steps to prevent heart-related diseases.

World Heart Day 2024: Theme

From 2024 to 2026, the campaign will focus on the theme "Use Heart for Action," encouraging people to prioritise their heart health while also enabling them to urge leaders to take cardiovascular health seriously. This theme creates a global platform for meaningful action, highlighting the value of deliberate, impactful actions. 

World Heart Day 2024: History

The World Heart Federation (WHF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) collaborated to establish World Heart Day in 1999. The first official celebration was held on September 24, 2000, to highlight the growing prevalence of heart disease and stroke. 

These disorders are often preventable with healthy lifestyle changes, hence the project was developed to raise awareness and urge preventive steps on a global scale.

World Heart Day 2024: Tips to improve your cardiovascular health:

Stay Active: Do at least 30 minutes of moderate physical exercise five days a week, such as brisk walking or cycling. Regular exercise helps to strengthen the heart and enhance circulation.

Eat Heart-Healthy Foods: Aim for a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. To lower your risk of heart disease, limit your intake of saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol.

Manage Stress: Chronic stress can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of heart disease. Practice relaxation techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, and yoga.

Maintain a Healthy Weight: Maintaining a healthy weight puts less strain on your heart, decreases cholesterol, and helps control blood pressure.

Quit smoking: Smoking damages blood vessels, elevates blood pressure, and increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Seek help to quit if necessary.

Monitor Your Blood Pressure: High blood pressure is a significant risk factor for heart disease. Check your blood pressure on a regular basis and manage it as needed with changes in lifestyle and medications.

Keep Cholesterol Levels Under Control: High cholesterol can cause plaque to build up in the arteries. Choose healthy fats such as olive oil, almonds, and avocados, and avoid fried and processed foods.

Limit Your Alcohol Consumption: Drinking alcohol in moderation can be part of a heart-healthy diet, but too much alcohol can raise blood pressure and contribute to cardiovascular disease.

Get Enough Sleep: Poor sleep has been related to an increased risk of heart disease. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to allow your body to recover and heal.

Stay Hydrated: Drinking enough water improves circulation and maintains normal cardiac function. Avoid sugary beverages and excessive caffeine.