2007 “World Heart Day” slogan is “Team Up for Healthy Hearts”. Its aim is to encourage people to join together and create hearty-healthy communities. World Heart Federation, World Health Organization and other organizations are taking active part in propagating this message.
Heart diseases statistics:
Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death globally. An estimated 17.5 million people died from cardiovascular disease in 2005, representing 30 % of all global deaths. Of these deaths, 7.6 million were due to heart attacks and 5.7 million were due to stroke. Around 80% of these deaths occurred in developing countries. If appropriate action is not taken, by 2015, an estimated 20 million people will die from cardiovascular disease every year, mainly from heart attacks and strokes.
Heart role in life:
1. Physically: It beats 70times/minute and in a day, it beats more than one lakh times in a day. Even though it is small in size (compared to liver), it plays vital role in the bodily functions.
2. Mentally and socially: we call a particular person as ‘’heart-less fellow”. Here heart means-kindness, sympathy, generosity, loving others, etc. in nature.
3. Spiritually: The golden quotation is “those who are pure at heart, they are blessed and shall see God one day”.
That means God is residing in our heart in the form of “Soul”, and reminding us always to do good only. It clearly shows that the heart is not a simple, innocent, physical (muscular) organ but more than that, playing greater role in our day to day activities. Hence it is our duty to protect our heart in every aspect and respect.
Heart diseases causes:
Heart attacks and paralysis are the main causes of death among the population. 175 million people are dying due to these two diseases only, every year in the world.
1. Obesity: At present 155 million children are suffering from obesity, all over the world. It is a very dangerous situation. We have to be very careful about the food habits and physical exercise in them. Otherwise these habits become stabilized and remain in the later life also. If the children are obese, the chances of getting heart attacks before reaching the age of 65 years are 3-5 times more, than normal weight persons. Many of them are prone to diabetes.
2. Tobacco-smoking: The incidence of smoking is increasing year after year, especially among the youth, who constitute 50% of the population, in spite of the anti-smoking propaganda, undertaken by the governments and other private organizations.
3. Food habits: More intake of fatty, junk foods (high cholesterol diet), leads to heart troubles.
4. Stress and strain, lack of exercise, etc are other factors.
5. Heart diseases in Women: Previously the notion was that only men suffer from heart attacks. Now the trend is changed and 50% of deaths among women are due to heart attacks only. More over the signs and symptoms in females are a little different compared to males. The pain in chest during the heart attack is more felt in men, than the women. But women feel more “tiredness” and it is misunderstood for general weakness. So women are to be more enlightened on these matters.
6. Low intake of fruit and vegetables is estimated to cause about 31% of ischemic heart disease, 11% of stroke worldwide and 19% of gastrointestinal cancer. Overall, 2.7 million deaths are attributable to low fruit and vegetable intake.
7. Physical inactivity is estimated to cause, globally, about 10-16% of cases each of breast cancer, colon and rectal cancers and diabetes mellitus, and about 22% of ischemic heart disease. Overall, 1.9 million deaths are attributable to physical inactivity.
How to prevent heart attacks?
1. Heart attacks and strokes are major killers in all parts of the world. But they can often be prevented.
2. You can protect yourself from heart attacks and strokes by investing a little time and effort.
3. Tobacco use, an unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
4. Stopping tobacco use reduces the chance of a heart attack or stroke from the moment you stop.
5. Engaging in physical activity for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week will help to keep away heart attacks and strokes.
6. Eating at least five servings of fruit and vegetables a day, and limiting your salt intake to less than one teaspoon a day, can help to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
7. High blood pressure has no symptoms, but can cause a sudden stroke or heart attack. Have your blood pressure checked regularly.
8. Diabetes increases the risk of heart attacks and stroke. If you have diabetes, control your blood pressure and blood sugar to minimize your risk.
9. Being overweight increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. To maintain an ideal body weight, take regular physical activity and eat a healthy diet.
10. Heart attacks and strokes can strike suddenly and can be fatal if assistance is not sought immediately.
Now a days, people find it difficult to find suitable places to do exercises, in the towns and cities due to over crowding of houses and also increase in the population, especially in the developing countries. Hence every body should take active part to achieve healthy environment, smoke-free societies and also to encourage healthy food choices among children and adults.
“God sees your ‘Heart’ not your mind”. So it is our prime duty to save our valuable Heart under any circumstances.
Courtesy: World health organization (WHO).
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