World Heart Day, celebrated 29 september, serves as an important milestone for people around the world. This day emphasizes the importance of cardiovascular health and encourages people to lead a healthy lifestyle.. The main objective of this event is to create awareness about heart disease, their causes and methods of prevention.

History of World Heart Day

World Heart Day appeared in 1999 year on the initiative of the World Heart Federation. The purpose of creating this day was to draw attention to the problem of cardiovascular diseases and the need for their prevention. Since then, that day has been organized annually in more than 100 countries, involving millions of people in events, aimed at raising awareness of the importance of taking care of your heart.

Cardiovascular disease statistics

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) remain one of the leading causes of death in the world. According to the World Health Organization (TRAIN), about 17,9 million people die every year from heart and vascular diseases. This amounts to 32% of all deaths in the world. More than half of these cases occur in low- and middle-income countries.

Main risk factors, associated with cardiovascular diseases, include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diet. This is why it is so important to be aware of your risk and take steps to reduce it..

Heart Health Risks

There are several main factors, which can lead to heart disease. Each of them requires attention and, if possible, lifestyle changes.

High blood pressure:

Hypertension is one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease. With a constant increase in blood pressure, the heart begins to work with increased load, which can lead to myocardial infarction or stroke. Checking your blood pressure regularly and following your doctor's recommendations can help control this problem..

Dyslipidemia:

Elevated blood cholesterol also significantly increases the risk of heart disease. Low density lipoproteins (LDL), often called bad cholesterol, can accumulate on the walls of blood vessels, forming plaques and narrowing the lumen of the arteries.

Sedentary lifestyle:

Physical activity plays a key role in maintaining heart health. A sedentary lifestyle may increase the risk of obesity, hypertension and diabetes - factors, contributing to the development of CVD. Regular physical activity, such as walking, running or playing sports, can significantly improve overall health.

Poor nutrition:

Diet also has a big impact on heart health. Excess salt intake, Sahara, Saturated fats and processed foods can lead to weight gain and high cholesterol levels. Proper nutrition, consisting of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein, can significantly reduce the risk of CVD.

Prevention of cardiovascular diseases

Prevention is always better, than treatment. Although some risk factors cannot be changed, many of them can be controlled or even eliminated. Let's look at key strategies to improve heart health.

Regular medical examinations:

Regular visits to your doctor to check your blood pressure, cholesterol levels and other health indicators are an important step in preventing cardiovascular disease. These checks can help identify potential risks early and initiate necessary treatment..

Healthy eating:

Eating a balanced diet will not only improve heart health, but also improves the general condition of the body. Include more vegetables in your diet, fruit, nuts and whole grains. Try to avoid fast food and foods high in trans fats.

Physical activity:

Physical activity should become an integral part of your life. Even simple walks in the fresh air can significantly improve your health. Experts recommend a minimum 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week.

Avoiding bad habits:

Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption have negative effects on heart health. Quitting these habits can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease and significantly improve your overall health..

The influence of psycho-emotional state on heart health:

Don't forget about that, How does your psycho-emotional state affect your heart health?. Stress, Anxiety and depression may increase the risk of heart disease. Ability to cope with stress, using relaxation techniques, such as meditation or yoga, may be very useful.