As per the World Heart Federation, World Heart Day is important as cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the world’s number one killer, resulting in 18.6 million deaths a year. Covid-19 has only been more heartbreaking for this figure as it has made 520 million people living with CVD, more vulnerable to developing severe forms of the coronavirus.
To increase public awareness of cardiovascular diseases, their prevention and their global impact, World Heart Day is observed and celebrated annually on September 29.
“Cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of deaths worldwide and nowadays it is not impacted by age, it can affect young and middle-aged people also. As early as childhood and adolescence, plaques can start accumulating in the arteries and later lead to clogged arteries. Some small changes such as active lifestyle, controlled diabetes, hypertension, and cholesterol, abstaining from smoking reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. COVID 19 had a severe impact on entire health care system leaving behind compromised health check-ups leading to rising in heart-related deaths,” said Dr Shivali Ahlawat Lab Head- National Reference Lab, Gurugram Head- East & South Regional Labs Oncquest Laboratories Ltd
“The theme for the World Heart Day 2021 is ‘’Use Heart To CONNECT’’ and is all about harnessing the power of digital health to improve awareness, prevention, and management of CVD globally. So, let’s connect and get yourself checked for cholesterol, diabetes, and hypertension.”
