Each year 17.1 million people die of cardiovascular disease, 80% in the developing world.

The World Heart Federation exists to prevent and control these diseases through awareness campaigns and action, promoting the exchange of information, ideas and science among those involved in cardiovascular care, advocating for disease prevention and control by promoting healthy diets, physical activity and tobacco free living at an individual, community and policy maker level. Our work is organized in four programme areas.

Awareness

World Heart DayCelebrated annually, events are run in more than 100 countries worldwide. Engaging governments,healthcare professionals, employers, NGOs and individuals to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease and make it a global health priority.

Go Red for WomenCreated by the American Heart Association, it is a multinationalcampaign targeting women to increase awareness and understanding that cardiovascular disease is their number one killer. Community-based programmes reach women in innovative ways throughout low- and middle-income countries.

Children and YouthThe unhealthy lifestyles that lead to cardiovascular disease often begin in childhood and adolescence, so that prevention of heart disease must begin there.
The World Heart Federation works to prevent tobacco use and promote healthy diets and physical activity among children and youth.

Together with its members, the World Heart Federation spreads the news that at least 80% of premature deaths from heart disease and stroke could be avoided if the main risk factors, tobacco, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity, are controlled.

World Heart Day will take place on 29 September each year.

National activities such as public talks and screenings, walks and runs, concerts or sporting events  are organized worldwide by members and partners of the World Heart Federation.

In 2010, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of World Heart Day the World Heart Federation launched the ‘State of the Heart’ CVD Report.

Cardiovascular disease causes 29 per cent of all deaths globally each year, making it the world’s number one killer.

Global leaders have recognized the urgency to prioritize the prevention and control of CVD together with the other non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which include cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes; by holding the first ever United Nations High-Level Meeting on NCDs in September.

However, it is important that efforts to fight CVD do not rest only with policy makers and global leaders. Individuals throughout the world can also reduce the CVD burden, by learning about the risk factors and taking vital steps to reduce their own and their family’s risk.

As a hub for family activities, and as a focal point in everyone’s life, the household is the perfect place to start taking action to improve heart health. That is why this year, for World Heart Day, the World Heart Federation and its members are focusing their efforts on the home.  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. 

Every year, 17.1 million lives are claimed by the global burden of cardiovascular disease, with 82 per cent of deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries.

This excessive number of deaths is particularly saddening, since through steps such as eating a healthy diet, regular physical activity and avoiding tobacco, the majority of these deaths could be prevented. 

However, not all heart events are preventable.  It is therefore important to know what action to take should a heart attack or ischaemic stroke, occur in the home.  If you suspect a family member of having a heart attack or stroke, seek medical help immediately.

Over 70 per cent of all cardiac and breathing emergencies occur in the home when a family member is present and available to help a victim.

Learn the signs and symptoms of a heart attack or stroke

Warning Signs of Heart Attack Include:-

    Chest discomfort, including squeezing or pain in the centre of the chest between the breasts or behind the breastbone
    Discomfort and/or pain spreading to other areas of the upper body such as one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach
    Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort

Other signs include: unexplained weakness or fatigue, anxiety or unusual nervousness, indigestion or gas-like pain, breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, vomiting, light-headedness and collapse

    Sudden weakness of the face, arm, or leg, most often on one side of the body
    Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
    Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
    Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
    Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

If experiencing any of these signs, which could come and go, call your emergency services/ambulance immediately.  If there is no emergency response number, seek medical attention as soon as possible.


CVD risk factors include:

    High blood pressure
    Being overweight
    High blood cholesterol
    Tobacco use
    Lack of physical activity
    Presence of diabetes