World Heart Day - A healthy heart for a healthy lifestyle

How important is it to keep your heart healthy? According to World Health Organization (WHO), every year heart diseases claim 17.3 million people around the world. The World Heart Day is observed to make people realize the risk of heart diseases and enlighten that such death could be avoided by adopting simple and easy ways. World Heart Day is usually observed on the last Sunday of September every year. The World Heart Day 2011 was celebrated on September 29 marking its eleventh anniversary. This year the World Heart Federation will observe the event on September 30 and pledges to make 2012 the year of cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention among women and children.

The World Heart Day is organized by World Heart Federation, a non-governmental organization with its headquaters in Geneva, Switzerland, endorsed by World Health Organization and other organizations. It identifies the numerous factors responsible for the cardiovascular diseases and premature deaths. World Heart Federation also spreads the news on how stroke and heart diseases could be avoided if physical activities and unhealthy diets are controlled.

World Heart Federation also imparts important information related to signs and symptoms of a heart attack or stroke. It tries to connect with policy makers, corporates and general public and spread the importance of a heart-healthy lifestyles.

Since its formation it has opted for many captivating themes to celebrate the event and create awareness among the people about the risk of heart diseases. The theme of World Heart Day 2011 was "One World, One Home, One Heart". This theme appeals to individuals to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases of their own and their family members by choosing healthy eating habits, adopting physical activities and quit consumption of tobacco.

This year to celebrate the World Heart Day, the World Heart Federation has selected many creative and captivating campaign materials that include leaflet and posters. These World Heart photos and pictures emphasize on spreading the importance of heart health among the masses.

To reach the public and also mark the event as significant, associations and individuals organize a range of World Heart Day activities that usually include fitness session, health checks, scientific forums, public talks and more on heart diseases symptoms. Furthermore, health institutes and various organizations conduct health check-up centres and seminars to disseminate awareness on heart diseases and the precautionary measures. Attempts are also made to motivate children and elders to care about their heart and start living a health lifestyle by avoiding smoking and adopting healthy eating habits.

In India, millions of people die and fall victim of cardiovascular diseases because of their unhealthy lifestyle they have adopted that usually starts at home. So, this year, World Heart Day focuses to household to bring a change in everyone's life as it is the centre of the family activities.