World Heart Day falls on September 29 each year.
Together with its members, World Heart Federation spreads the news that at least 80 percent of premature deaths from heart disease and stroke could be avoided if the main risk factors, smoking, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, high BP, high blood cholesterol and diabetes are controlled.
National activities such as public talks and cardiovascular screenings, walks, runs, concerts or sports events are organized worldwide by members and partners of World Heart Federation.
In Sri Lanka public seminars are being organized by Nawaloka Hospital and Lanka Hospitals in Colombo in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Heart Association to commemorate World Heart Day for public awareness.
World Heart Day 2011 theme is 'One world, one home and one heart'.
One world
Global leaders have recognized the urgency to give the priority to prevention and control of heart disease together with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) which include cancer, diabetes, chronic lung disease by holding the first ever United Nation High Level meeting on NCDs in September 2011.One home
This year we call on individuals to reduce their own their family's risk of Heart disease and stroke. The household is the perfect place to start taking action to improve heart health. We ask people to take charge of their home's heart health by taking steps such as choosing healthy food options, increasing physical activity and saying no to tobacco.You and your family can take four steps
1. Ban smoking from your home. Stop smoking in the house to improve your own and your children's heart health.
2. Healthy food options at home -
a) Start the day with a piece of fruit or prepare your own lunch at home to ensure healthy options are taken to work or school.
b) Make sure every evening meal contains at least two-three servings of vegetables.
c) Be careful of processed food which often contain high levels of salt.
d) Drink lots of water.
3. Be active
a) Families should limit the amount of time spent watching TV to less than two hours per day.
b) Organize outdoor activities for the family. Eg; Cycling, playing in the garden, hiking etc.
c) Just a 30 minute walk at least five days per week will help prevent heart attacks and strokes.
4. Know your numbers
a) Visit your doctor or health care professional for your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels together with waist to hip ratio and body mass index (BMI)
By doing the household steps above, you and your family can reduce the burden of heart disease though not all heart diseases are preventable.
One heart
As always our emphasis will be on improving heart health across all nations.By adapting a few household behaviours, people all over the world can have longer and better lives through the prevention and control of heart disease and stroke.
The writer is the President, Sri Lanka Heart Association
