Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the most common cause of death globally. An estimated 17 million people die from CVD every year. Coronary heart disease or strokes were the major causes of these deaths. A common misconception about CVD is that it impacts more people in developed countries who are more reliant on technology and lead sedentary lifestyles. But more than 80% of the deaths occur in middle-income and low-income countries. Fortunately, the main causes of cardiovascular disease are modifiable factors, which include lack of exercise, smoking, and a poor diet.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a class of diseases that affect the heart or blood vessels (veins and arteries). It can be caused by a combination of socio-economic, behavioural, and environmental risk factors, including high blood pressure, unhealthy diet, high cholesterol, diabetes, air pollution, obesity, tobacco use, kidney disease, physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol and stress. Family history, ethnic background, sex, and age can also affect a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease.
BY THE NUMBERS
115,000 – the number of times our heart beats in a day.
2,000 – the number of gallons of blood pumped by the heart every day.
1893 – the year in which the first open-heart surgery occurred.
3,500 – the age in years of an Egyptian mummy in which the earliest-known case of heart disease was identified.
1,200 – the fastest heartbeat per minute — that of the pygmy shrew.
1 pound – the weight of the human heart.
60,000 – the number of miles our blood vessel system can extend to.
1,500 pounds – the weight of a blue whale’s heart.
1.5 gallons – the amount of blood pumped by our heart each minute.
HOW TO OBSERVE WORLD HEART DAY
Designate the day for a checkup
You may even be able to find a World Heart Day event near you that’s offering health check services. It doesn’t get much easier than that!
Get your heart rate up with fitness events
Maintaining a healthy weight and low Body Mass Index (BMI) can help decrease your chances of developing heart disease. Whether you decide to attend a gym or fitness class — or prefer to get involved at a World Heart Day event — try to make being active a priority.3. Schedule life-changing seminars
Most cardiac emergencies occur near someone who could potentially help — so setting up a CPR class and learning how to resuscitate a person could save lives. Cooking demonstrations, health lectures, and fitness lessons are also great events to plan for World Heart Day.
What can you do to lower your risk of Cardiovascular Disease?
According to the World Health Organization, as many as 80% of all heart attacks and strokes are preventable. The majority of deaths due to CVD are precipitated by risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, or diabetes, which can, to a large extent, be prevented or controlled through the consumption of a healthy diet, regular exercise and avoiding tobacco. Keeping an eye on your blood pressure, cholesterol levels and blood sugar levels is also very important.
There are many other best practices you can do to prevent Cardiovascular Disease. Click on the links below to find more information.
I have a heart condition, it’s an Arrhythmia that will not kill you. You feel like you’re having a heart attack but it’s not. I’ve been to the hospital many times because it was so bad I wanted to make sure it wasn’t a heart attack. I also have an artery that is narrow and slows the blood down to the heart. The Mayo Clinic made the diagnosis after several Cardiologists failed to find the answer.
The best thing we can do besides getting ourselves in good shape is to learn CPR. We never know when a family member or a stranger will need life-saving help.
Our heart keeps us alive, we use it 24/7 and we need to take care of it or it will come back to bite us.
Melinda
References:
lookingforthelight.blog 
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