September 29 is World Heart Day

As declared by the World Heart Federation, September 29 is World Heart Day, a day for raising awareness about cardiovascular disease.

The World Heart Federation was originally formed in 1978 by a merger of the International Society of Cardiology (ISC) and the International Cardiology Federation (ICF), which became the International Society and Federation of Cardiology (ISFC). In 1998 the ISFC changed its name to the World Heart Federation. Since then, the organization has kept growing to become a corner stone of the cardiovascular health field. The Federation is now working with more than 200 members around the world.

The ISC was founded in 1946 as a professional scientific organization with a membership of national societies of cardiology. The ICF was set up in 1970, composed of heart foundations around the world, with the purpose of supporting international research, professional and public education, as well as community programs.

World Heart Day in Malaysia — World Heart Day 2015 in Malaysia

In 1996, an agreement between UNESCO, World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Heart Federation instigated ongoing cooperation on different projects such as the prevention of rheumatic fever and heart disease, Chagas’ disease and risk factors in school-age children in developing countries. Joint projects are continuously under way. The World Heart Federation is now recognized by the World Health Organization as its leading NGO partner in cardiovascular disease prevention and is a close partner of the World Health Organization’s department of Noncommunicable Diseases.

In May 2012, world leaders committed to reducing global mortality from non-communicable diseases by 25% by 2025. Cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, is accountable for nearly half of all non-communicable deaths, making it the world’s No. 1 killer and claiming 17.5 million live each year.

World Heart Day is a terrific platform for the cardiovascular disease community to unite in the fight against cardiovascular diease and reduce the global disease burden. The group’s aim is to drive action to teach 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.

[blockquote text=”This year, as in years past, organizations around the world will hold events in support of World Heart Day. Individuals, families, communities, organizations and governments will take part in activities to take charge of their heart health and that of others. ” show_quote_icon=”no” text_color=”#8e282b” width=”80″]

In 2015, more than 3000 people in Malaysia participated in a walkathon to raise awareness of heart disease. A walk was also held in Madrid, Spain last year. Local organizations around the world are busily preparing events for the 2016 World Heart Day celebration, which has the power to unite people from all countries and backgrounds in the fight against cardiovascular disease, and inspires and drives international action to encourage heart-healthy living across the world.

This World Heart Day, the World Heart Federation wants everyone to understand what they can do to fuel their hearts and power their lives. Your heart is at the heart of your health. It’s easy to give it the care it deserves, by downloading and using the CardioVisual app for iOS or for Android, for example.