World Heart Day is here; the perfect time to talk about heart health. It’s important for every country to create or support a national heart health plan for fighting the world’s leading cause of death. Let’s join forces to prevent, detect, and manage cardiovascular diseases (CVD).
What causes it?
• Smoking
• Alcohol
• Unhealthy diet (especially high in salt) • Lack of exercise
What puts you at risk?
• High blood pressure • High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Being overweight
• Family history
• Age (50+)
• Gender (men are at higher risk earlier) • Excessive alcohol
What can we do?
1. Policy and Leadership: More countries need to prioritize heart health.
2. Tobacco Control: Enforce strong anti-smoking laws.
3. Healthy Diets: Promote low-salt, trans-fat-free diets.
4. Healthcare Programs: Improve detection and management of high blood pressure and diabetes.
This World Heart Day, let’s take action and empower ourselves to address heart disease and lower the numbers of those affected.