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The continuous slogan for World Heart Day is "A Heart for Life", each year
the Day is dedicated to a special theme, as listed below.
2009 Follow the right lifestyle
2008 Know your Risk
2007 Team up for Healthy Hearts!
2006 How Young is Your Heart?
2005 Healthy Weight, Healthy Shape
2004 Children, Adolescents and Heart Disease
2003 Women, Heart Disease and Stroke
2002 Obesity, Physical Activity and Nutrition
2001 A Heart for Life
2000 Physical Activity
World Heart Day
2009 to create awareness
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared September 27 as World Heart Day to create awareness about taking proper care of
heart to avoid various cardiovascular diseases that have become the major killers in the world. As per WHO figures, heart diseases and
stroke are the first and second leading causes of death for adult men and women in developed countries. The recent WHO projections
estimate the number of patients with chronic heart disease (CHD) to cross over two million in a year in India by 2010.
Preventive measures (lifestyle and diets)
Regular physical activity
Inclusion of vegetables, fruits and fibres in the diet
Inclusion of fish and fish oils in the non-vegetarian diet
Avoiding junk foods, alcohol and tobacco consumption
Including whole grain cereals and nuts (unsalted) in the diet
Risk Factors:
The negative lifestyles associated with depression, smoking, alcoholism, lack of exercise, poor diet and lack of social support increase the risk of heart
disease and interfere with treatment.
Smoking increase the risk of heart attack by 5
times. Quitting smoking at any age nullifies this risk in 3 years. Even reducing smoking to a minimum helps.
If you are a diabetic your chance of having a heart attack in the next 7 years in 10 times more than a
non-diabetic.
Psycho-social stress is an important risk factor in the causation of heart attacks. It leads to increased secretion of adrenalin, chronic stress
raises the blood pressure, invites diabetes and constricts the arteries of heart.
Pollution with finely particulated fumes leads to heart attacks.
Illnesses like influenza, common during season change, may cause heart attack in high risk
individuals.
High blood pressure leads to heart attack. The normal blood pressure at all ages is less
than 120/80 mms Hg. Every 20 mms increase in systolic and 10 mms diastolic pressure beyond this level doubles the risk of a heart attack
and stroke.
Low levels of good cholesterol (HDL cholesterol), associated with higher chance of getting a heart
attack.
Eat less salt.The World Health Organization recommends a maximum quantity of 5
grams of salt a day, which is about a teaspoonful.
Heart attacks in any age
Heart disease affects
not only the problem of middle and older
age but can occur early in life, even in childhood. Heart attacks can even happen to people their 20s and 30s, from unusually high cholesterol levels that are hereditary.
High – paced, stressful lifestyles with irregular eating habits and lack of exercise are one of the causes of coronary artery disease striking early. Adopting a healthy lifestyle early in life works better than changing one’s lifestyle later in life.
Heart attacks found
more in women
Some of the major causes of coronary diseases among Indian women are diabetes, high cholesterol level or dyslipidemia, smoking, bad metabolism and premature menopause or estrogen
deficiency. The
modern Indian woman is subjected to excessive stress at home and at work. Overworking, under-resting and a higher level of frustration at work bring about greater aggression and take a toll on the quality of
life. As smoking is common among the new generation of younger Indian women, pre-menopausal smokers are thrice at risk of heart diseases than men.
Be aware of your risk
Know your Blood
Pressure: High blood pressure can cause a sudden stroke or heart attack.
Know your blood sugar: Raised blood glucose ( Diabetes
) increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Know your blood lipids: Raised blood cholesterol increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Precautionary measures
Eat healthy: Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables as well as a variety of whole grains.
Regular exercise: Make exercise a regular part of your life.
Drink lots of water daily: At least six glasses a day.
Reduce salt intake: Less salt intake can help to reduce blood pressure.
Watch your cholesterol: Avoid foods containing saturated fats, trans fats and cholesterol.
Maintain a healthy weight: By avoiding obesity and overweight, you’ll reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
Check up regularly: Get your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels tested regularly. |
