Happy Heart Day 2023: Know Amazing Facts About Your 'Heart'

September 29 is observed as 'World Heart Day' which has been designated by the WHO in order to impart awareness and knowledge about the most vulnerable organ of the human body. The heart is one of the most important and delicate organs in human beings and to maintain a physically, emotionally, and medically healthy heart, it becomes essential to gain a piece of proper knowledge about the heart.

Do You Know?

There are certain interesting facts and figures related to the heart of human beings. Let's understand the importance of our Heart by the following intriguing facts:
1. The weight of your heart ranges from 7 to 15 ounces.
2. The heartbeats of newborns are the quickest of all.
3. The center of your chest is where your heart is.
4. Every single day, your heart beats about 100,000 times.
5. Every day, the heart pumps 2,000 gallons of blood.
6. Your body has 60,000 miles of blood vessels.
7. Laughter is heart-healthy.
8. In a sprinter, the heart exerts twice as much energy as the legs.
9. Your heart does not stop when you sneeze.
10. Your aorta is comparable in size to a garden hose.
11. Compared to human hair, some capillaries are ten times smaller.
12. A woman's heart beats on average roughly 8 beats per minute more quickly than a man's heart.
13. The size of an adult heart is comparable to two hands clasped. The heart of a youngster is about the size of a hand.
14. With the exception of the cornea, every cell in the human body receives blood from the heart.
15. Blood is pumped into your lungs from the right side of your heart. Your heart's left side circulates blood through your body again.
16. Your health is most at risk from heart disease. It is crucial to take care of your heart by leading a heart-healthy lifestyle because of this.

With 17.9 million deaths per year, Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) are among the most common causes of death worldwide. Coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, rheumatic heart disease, and other illnesses are among the categories of heart and blood vessel disorders known as CVDs.

World Heart Federation:

To keep track of the heart of the globe, the International Society and Federation of Cardiology, then known as the International Society and Federation of Cardiology, was established in 1978 by the union of the International Society of Cardiology and the International Cardiology Federation. The World Heart Federation became the name of this organization in 1998. More than 200 organizations from more than 100 nations are represented by the World Heart Federation. Its goal is to make it possible for individuals all over the world to have access to the knowledge, care, and treatment they require to maintain heart health. It is the foremost institution promoting global cardiovascular health.
The only CVD organization with official ties to the World Health Organisation is the World Heart Federation.

The Mission of the World Heart Day:

The goal of World Heart Day, an annual celebration and awareness-raising event held on 29 September, is to raise public understanding of cardiovascular diseases, including how to prevent them and how they affect people throughout the world. World Heart Day was first introduced in 1999 by the World Heart Federation (WHF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). Antoni Bayés de Luna, the WHF president from 1997 to 1999, was the one who came up with the idea for this annual event. The first World Heart Day celebration took place on September 24, 2000, and it was initially observed (up until 2011) on the final Sunday in September.

History and Significance of the World Heart Day:

The first World Heart Day was observed in 2000, and it has since garnered awareness on a global scale. Its founding objective was to raise public knowledge of cardiovascular diseases, their prevention, and the promotion of heart-healthy lifestyle choices. The most prevalent causes of death globally are cardiovascular diseases, which include heart disease and stroke. The good news is that by making lifestyle changes like eating a balanced diet, exercising frequently, stopping smoking, and controlling stress, many of these diseases can be avoided.
The significance of World Heart Day resides in its ability to inspire people, communities, and governments to act. It encourages individuals to make informed decisions about their heart health and to get the required medical help. Additionally, it acts as a platform for promoting laws that aid global endeavors to promote heart health.

Risk Factors of Heart Disease:

Unhealthy food, inactivity, use of tobacco products, and abuse of alcohol are the most significant behavioral risk factors for heart disease and stroke. The effects of behavioral risk factors might manifest in people as elevated blood pressure, elevated blood glucose, elevated blood lipids, as well as overweight and obesity. These "intermediate risk factors" can be assessed in primary care settings and show a higher risk of complications such as heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.

Prevention is Better Than Cure:

It has been researched and found that reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease involves quitting smoking, cutting back on salt in the diet, eating more fruits and vegetables, engaging in regular physical activity, and abstaining from problematic alcohol consumption. For people to adopt and maintain healthy behaviors, health policies that foster environments where healthy options are both affordable and accessible are crucial.
Premature deaths can be mitigated by identifying the most at risk for CVDs and ensuring they receive the proper care. To guarantee that people in need receive care and counseling, access to noncommunicable disease medications and fundamental health technologies in all primary healthcare facilities is crucial.

The Theme of the World Heart Day 2023:

Every World Heart Day has a distinct theme that emphasizes various facets of heart health. These topics were selected with attention in order to speak to specific heart disease-related problems and promote constructive change. In previous years, the themes have included "Use Heart to Beat Cardiovascular Disease," "My Heart, Your Heart," and "Heart Choices, Not Hard Choices." The fundamental message of making preventive efforts to prevent cardiac diseases remains unchanged, regardless of the year's subject.

This year's World Heart Day is being observed on September 29th, and the theme is "Use Heart, Know Heart," underlining the significance of heart health for all individuals. The importance of first understanding our own hearts is highlighted by this yearly campaign.