World Heart Day

World Heart Day is organized by the World Heart Foundation on September 29 each year to inform people about cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which is considered as the biggest death and disability in the world. The day promotes the awareness for preventive measures to reduce the risk of CVDs. It aims to motivate 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 provides a vital global platform to raise awareness and encourage individuals, families, communities and governments to act now. Together we have the power to reduce the burden and premature deaths from CVD and helping people everywhere to live longer, better, heart-healthy lives.

History of World Heart Day 

The establishment of World Heart Day was announced in 1999 by World Heart Federation (WHF) in partnership with World Health Organization (WHO). The idea of the event was visualized by the former president of World Health Federation (WHF) named Antoni Baye de Luna who was being the president of the nongovernmental organization from 1997 to 1999. Until 2011, the day was observed throughout the world on the last Sunday of the month of September. However, since 2013 the event has been celebrated on 29 September across the world after the World Heart Federation decided to do so. The first observance of World Heart Day was held on 24 September 2000.

How people celebrate the World Heart Day?

As part of World Heart Day celebrations, public talks, sporting events, and concerts are organized. In addition to this, educational programs that are designed to engage the public also form an integral part of the day’s celebrations. It needs to be mentioned here that the World Heart Federation, which is a nongovernmental organization sponsors the annual event.