Creating heart healthy environment

With the rising numbers of cardiac issues worldwide, spreading awareness about it, was the need of the hour. World heart day was found on 29th of September 2000. It is established to spread awareness of how one should monitor and understand one’s cardiovascular health. World heart day has discussed key issues and topics related to cardiovascular diseases till date. This year World heart day is set to discuss the most important cause leading to rise in cardiovascular diseases, the theme is ‘creating heart healthy environment’.

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause for deaths world over. According to present research, in every thirty three seconds one person dies in United States of America due to cardiac arrest. India is not far behind. One fifth of deaths in India are caused by cardiovascular diseases. There are many types of heart diseases found around the world but Coronary heart disease is a prime issue bothering Indian hearts. It causes blockage in arteries resulting in cardiac arrest. India has alarming number of individual facing coronary artery disease.  Over 45 million patients of coronary artery disease are found alone in India. With wide variety of ethnicities, food habits vary in our country. Fried and sugar rich food consumed regularly results in rise in diabetes. Diabetic person is more prone to heart diseases, and therefore India stands a chance to become a country with largest number of patients of cardiovascular diseases.

Unhealthy lifestyle affects person’s cardiovascular health, this is a well known fact, but many things which are part of our day to day life can be harmful in longer run for our hearts. World heart day 2014 tries to signify the importance of making few changes in lifestyle to create heart healthy environment. Food habits such as fat rich food, food with more sugar, leads to cholesterol accumulation. Smoking, lack of physical activity provides major foundation to the growth of cardiovascular complications.

It is observed that men are at the greater risk of cardiovascular complication than women. But rising number of diabetes in women is resulting into rise of cardiovascular issues.  Apart from gender, age is also a prime factor for the development of cardiovascular complications. Average age for most of the men to develop cardiovascular complications in western countries is 55-60, but India has a different problem to face. The average Indian age for developing diabetes is 45, a prime cause of cardiovascular complications. It’s been observed that the developing countries have more number of heart patients than the developed once.

This year ‘World heart day 2014’ appeals to people to monitor and change their environment for healthy heart. Few simple changes can lead to a better life, the suggested changes are as follows

• Chose healthier food options
• Substitute fresh fruits for sweet treats
• Stop smoking
• Limit TV watching
• Initiate a physical activity for the entire family at least twice a week
• Regular body check-up
• Encourage school and office canteens to serve healthier food.

Many organizations worldwide organize world heart day awareness campaigns on this occasion to make their participants know the importance of cardiovascular health in their lives. This initiative has helped a great deal in spreading awareness, saving many people’s life.