Previously, infectious diseases use to cause more death globally. Thanks to the immunization schedules and vaccines that have come into existence to combat the dreadful infections and have led to eliminate or eradicate many dreadful infections like small pox, polio and even covid 19. With decrease in infection, there was an increase in noncommunicable diseases due to development in all aspects. To educate the public regarding them and how to prevent them, the WORLD HEART FEDERATION came with an initiative called WORLD HEART DAY. It was started in 2000 at Syndey Olympics and is being conducted every year on 29th September since 2013.
Why do we need it ?
As the world struggles to fight COVID-19, we’ve never been more aware of the importance of our and our loved one’s health.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the world’s number one killer, resulting in 18.6 million deaths a year. It has many causes: from smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity, to air pollution, and less common conditions such as Chagas disease and cardiac amyloidosis.
For the 520 million people living with CVD, COVID-19 has been heartbreaking. They have been more at risk of developing severe forms of the virus. And many have been afraid to attend routine and emergency appointments, and have become isolated from friends and family.
What id this years World Heart Day 2021 theme ?
USE HEART TO CONNECT
The healthcare crisis we’ve all been living through has highlighted an urgent need to find different and innovative ways to connect people to heart health, particularly in lower resource areas and communities.
Harnessing the power of digital health to improve awareness, prevention and management of CVD globally is our goal for Word Heart Day 2021. Telehealth has a huge role to play as we continue to USE HEART TO BEAT CVD.
USE HEART TO CONNECT is about using your knowledge, compassion and influence to make sure you, your loved ones and the communities you’re part of have the best chance to live heart-healthy lives. It’s about connecting with our own hearts, making sure we’re fuelling and nurturing them as best we can, and using the power of digital to connect every heart, everywhere.
How do we achieve this?
There are three key pillars to achieve this goal of “Use Heart to Connect Every Heart”
They are
1. Equitable distribution
2. Prevention
3. Community Participation
How we achieve equitable distribution?
Disconnected hearts are at greater risk of heart disease and stroke due to lack of access to CVD prevention, treatment and control – yet half the world’s population doesn’t have access to internet connectivity.
Technology and data will help us bridge the gap and do it fast. It is about enabling and empowering everyone, everywhere – young and old, men, women and children, patients, community health workers, doctors to use digital tools for better prevention, diagnosis and care of heart-related conditions.
Not all hearts are equal. But they should be… and digital health can help to redress the balance.
As a part of this program our CSI Telangana chapter has unveiled a toll-free number to connect and resolve queries related to heart health and we are also inaugurating our new website with useful information related to heart disease risk factors and its prevention to general public.
What are methods to prevent heart disease?
Look after your heart by eating a healthy diet, saying no to tobacco and getting plenty of exercise. Digital tools, like phone apps and wearables, can really help you to get motivated and stay on track.
If you have an underlying health condition, such as heart disease, heart failure, diabetes, high blood pressure or obesity, don’t let COVID-19 stop you from attending your regular check-ups. And never avoid calling the emergency services if you need to – it’s safe and medical professionals are there for you.
As a part of our responsibility we from CSI Telangana are organizing health awareness programmes like the one today and also encouraging healthy life style by organising many events like marathons runs, cycling etc.
