World Heart Day

Published On 24th November 2023
World Heart Day

The Day - 29th September, was founded in the year 2000 as the World Heart Day to raise awareness about the leading cause of deaths globally - heart disease. According to the World Heart Federation, Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death and disability in the world, killing 17.5 million people a year. That's a third of deaths on the planet and half of all non-communicable, disease-related deaths.


How do I know if my heart is healthy?

Knowing your heart age is the best way to know how healthy your heart is. What is Heart Age?  Heart age simply tells you how many years (in the future) an individual can expect to live with a healthy heart (without any stroke/ attack). Having a high heart age increases the risk of serious health issues including dementia, heart attack, stroke, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes.

 

New analysis from Public Health England (PHE) 1 in 10 men aged 50 taking its Heart Age Test have a heart age at least 10 years older than they are, heightening their risk of a potentially fatal heart attack or stroke.


​​Fighting ​heart disease

​ If we look closely, heart diseases are non-communicable and are lifestyle diseases. Little changes to our daily habits can reduce the number of, and premature deaths from, CVD and help people to live longer, better, heart-healthy lives. Small lifestyle changes, like eating and drinking well, quitting smoking, regular exercise, etc. can make huge differences and make a healthier body and mind.

• The heart age, as compared to your real age
• The importance of your blood pressure and cholesterol numbers
• Tips to reduce heart age

You may check your heart age here - https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/risk-factors/check-your-heart-age


​Gauging heart disease

Often heart diseases don’t give you a warning! Currently, in England, 5.6 million people have high blood pressure, and they don’t even know about it! High blood pressure is often symptomless. Every month, 7,400 people die from heart disease or stroke. A quarter of deaths are of people under 75, and most of these can be prevented.


​Looking after the body

Choosing proper nutrition - Eating healthily is the most crucial weapon for fighting cardiovascular diseases. Avoiding oily food, junk food and adding more vegetables with an equal quantity of protein and carbohydrates can keep our heart healthy.

Remain active - Due to our busy schedules, we may not be able to find time to exercise regularly. Chose the next best alternative - stay active. Instead of sitting entire day on the office chair, take walks while getting water (instead of keeping a filled bottle), go and talk to colleagues (and discuss work). Take short walks while traveling, avoid lifts and take the staircase. These easy changes can help a lot in reducing CVDs.

Aim for a healthy weight - Excessive weight is bad, but being too skinny is equally injurious. Always aim for a healthy weight according to your age, size and body type.

Managing diabetes, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake, lowering high blood pressure and cholesterol are also important to maintain a healthy heart.

Heart disease can happen to any individual these days. Whether you are in the 20s, 30, 40s or 50s, maintaining a healthy balanced life is very important as heart disease pre-warn you! #BeSmart while making your life choices to lead a healthy and happy life.

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