Professor David Wood
President, World Heart Federation
World Heart Day takes place on 29 September and is the world’s biggest platform for raising awareness about cardiovascular disease (CVD), including heart disease and stroke.
My Heart, Your Heart campaign 2018
This year, our MY HEART, YOUR HEART campaign focuses on looking after our own hearts and the hearts of our loved ones.
It’s about saying to ourselves, the people we care about and individuals all around the world: “What can I do right now to look after MY HEART… and YOUR HEART?” It also champions the vital role of cardiology and healthcare professionals who dedicate themselves to looking after ALL OUR HEARTS.
So, on and around the 29th September, we are asking the world to make a promise:
A promise as an individual to get more active, say no to smoking or eat more healthily … as a healthcare professional to save more lives … or as a politician to implement a noncommunicable disease (NCD) action plan.
A time to highlight preventitive action
The World Heart Federation and its 200-plus members believe in a world where heart health for everyone is a fundamental human right and a crucial element of global health justice. Regardless of country, region, origin, race, gender, age, education and revenues, each human being is entitled to cardiovascular health and wellbeing through health promotion, access to prevention, control and management of cardiovascular disease.
World Heart Day informs people around the globe that heart disease and stroke are the world’s leading cause of death, claiming 17.7 million lives each year. The day highlights the actions that individuals can take to prevent and control CVD. It aims to drive action to educate 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.
Spread the word about cardiovascular health
Every year we are astounded at the huge – and growing – number of people who take part in the campaign. People organise activities aimed at promoting better cardiovascular health and help to spread the word via social media and other networks. It is inspiring to see so many people from all countries and backgrounds joining in the fight against the CVD burden, and driving international action to encourage heart-healthy living across the world.
World Heart Day reaches every corner of the planet to help us spread essential awareness of what everyone can do for MY HEART, for YOUR HEART, for ALL OUR HEARTS. It plays a vital role in the World Heart Federation’s mission to bring together the diverse cardiovascular community: the scientific cardiology societies, heart foundations, health professionals, individual citizens, patients and family members, policymakers, governments and industry, all to advance our cause of heart health for everyone. Because every heartbeat matters.
