World Heart Day 2015

Dr Kshetrimayum Kala Singh *

"Cardiovascular Disease is Public Health enemy number one"
"Each year 17.3 million people die of cardiovascular disease in the developing world"

This year the world heart day is observed on 29th September, 2015 all over the world. The theme for 2015 is creating HEART-HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT. The places in which we live, work and play should not increase our risk of Cardiovascular disease.

World Heart Day, which used to take place every year on the last sunday in September is organized by the World Heart Federation and has been celebrated annually since 2000. 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 which are tobacco, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity are controlled. 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.

Cardiovascular disease caused 29% of all death globally each year, making it to World number one killer. Over 80% of Cardiovascular disease deaths take place in low and middle income Countries. An objective of World Heart Day 2015 is to empower individuals and Communities to call for environments that enable them to make positive choice for their heart healthy.

This world Heart Day Calls on individuals and Communities to advocate for Heart – healthy environments and for governments to Champion and implement policies in these areas. The World Heart Federation have found that heart disease and strokes are the World's leading causes of death, killing 17.3% million people every year – that is more than Victims of Cancer, HIV and AIDS and malaria.

Now in its 16th years, World Heart Day provides a Unique opportunity to position Cardiovascular disease (CVD) at the heart of global priorities – in health and beyond. This year's focus will be centres on Heart Healthy environments, enabling individuals to address CVD risk factors such as hypertension, tobacco, Physical inactivity, Unhealthy diet and other modifiable CVD risk factors.

Many Government and Non Government Organization Celebrate World Heart Day in different forms like
o Health Checks
o Sports events, including Walks, runs and fitness sessions.
o Public talks and sciences forums
o Stage shows and concerts.
o Exhibitions.

Physical Activity :

It is defined as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles resulting in energy expenditure. Taking regular physical activity at least 1 hr. per day as gardening, walking etc. is effective for keeping our heart healthy. Current recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) call for every American to accumulate at least 30 minutes of Physical activity on most days of the week. Also aerobic exercise reduces serum triglycerides and increase High Density Lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol.

Research evidence demonstrate that exercise and cardiac rehabilitation, two crucial secondary prevention strategies, promote recovery from acute cardiac events, reduce morbidity and mortality and increase health related quality of life.

Avoid Tobacco use:

Smoking is major cause of death and disability. Tobacco smoke, either active or passive, is a leading cause of preventable Cardiovascular disease (CVD). Smoking cause coronary heart disease, ischaemic heart disease, sudden cardiac death, abdominal aortic aneurysm, heart failure, peripheral artery disease & erectile dysfunction. Combine use of hormonal contraceptive (oral, injected, patch or ring) in smokes above age 35 are highly prohibited. Advise all tobacco users to quite regardless of age, health status or tobacco product used (e.g. Cigarettes, Pipe, Cigar, Chewable, Snuff).

Harmful use of Alcohol:

Alcohol predisposes and worsens various Heart disease. Alcohol affects cardiac function both in acute and chronic forms. The pressor effect of larger amount of alcohol primarily reflects an increase in cardiac output and heart rate. Excessive amounts of alcohol are toxic to cardiac and skeletal muscles. Long term excessive intake of alcohol may be associated with alcoholic Cadiomyopathy (Dilated Cardiomyopathy), alcoholic liver disease & malnutrition.

Diet & Nutrition :

Food is essential for our survival because food is one of the important sources of energy or fuel that our body needs. We eat from birth to death. Practically every day, several times a day. A healthy diet will not only reduce the risk of coronary artery disease but also eliminates or reduces the need for medicines.
o Reduce intake of table salt
o Reduce intake of table sugar.
o Reduce fat intake specially saturated fats.
o Take high fibre diet
o Take fruit, vegetables, salad in plenty
o Take onion and garlic in diet
o Take vitamin C, B3 (Niacin) and E in plenty
o Reduce food with high Uric acid content
o Take plenty of water for drinking
o Avoid fried food.

Choose a diet with no more than 20 to 30% of calories coming from fats. Avoid Saturated fats (Cream, butter, ghee, animal fat, Vanaspati, coconut oil etc.) Use vegetable oils from sunflower, Soyabeans and olive oils and other unsaturated fat where ever possible.

Stress & Heart Disease :

Stress is one of the major risk factor for Coronary Heart Disease. Stress is situation in one's life where one is tense, nervous, irritated, angry anxious or under pressure. Stress could be physical or mental. Scientific studies have shown the excessive emotional stress increases blood pressure and levels of cholesterol. When we are under stress, certain hormones are secreted more in our baby, which may increase the blood pressure and the cholesterol level.

Every should learn techniques of stress management. First, identify causes of stress in your life. Secondly, learn how to prevent it and practice prevention. Thirdly, learn how to reduce stress, should it arise. Fourthly learn to communicate constructively with other persons. Remember stress is manageable and should be managed.

Such risk environmental factors like Hypertension, smoking, physical inability, Unhealthy diet, stress and strain, Diabetes, Dyslipedemia and Obesity should be controlled and avoid for Heart Healthy.

"IT IS NEVER TOO EARLY AND NEVER TOO LATE
TO START TAKING CARE OF YOUR HEART"
LOVE YOUR HEART, HEART IS YOUR LIFE