World Heart Day 2023: Date, History, Significance, And All You Need To Know

World Heart Day serves as a reminder for individuals to prioritize their heart health. The campaign for this year emphasizes the fundamental importance by understanding our own hearts.

World Heart Day 2023 (Representational Image)

World Heart Day 2023: World Heart Day is an annual event that falls on September 29 every year and is dedicated to raising awareness about cardiovascular diseases and promoting strategies to mitigate their global impact. World Heart Day serves as a global reminder for individuals to prioritize their heart health. The campaign for this year emphasizes the fundamental importance by understanding our own hearts.

World Heart Day 2023: History

In 1998, the World Heart Federation (WHF) came into existence when the International Society of Cardiology merged with the International Cardiology Federation. Professor Antonio Bayés de Luna, a prominent figure in the field of cardiology, served as the president of WHF from 1997 to 1999. He was the one who initially proposed the idea of establishing a World Heart Day, as cardiovascular diseases had become a significant global health concern, particularly in developing nations.

The inaugural World Heart Day was celebrated on September 24, 2000. Until 2011, it was observed on the last Sunday of September. However, starting in 2012, the date was changed to September 29. This alteration was made as part of a commitment by global leaders to reduce mortality rates from non-communicable diseases by 25 percent by the year 2025.

World Heart Day 2023: Significance

World Heart Day plays a crucial role in educating people about the prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). It draws attention to the hazards associated with tobacco consumption, unhealthy eating habits, and a sedentary lifestyle, all of which contribute to approximately 80 percent of premature deaths caused by heart disease and strokes. Most importantly, the World Heart Federation (WHF) promotes the concept of a heart-healthy lifestyle as a basic human right, advocating for its adoption worldwide.

World Heart Day 2023: Theme

The theme for 2023 is 'Use Heart, Know Heart' that underlines the importance of understanding and caring for our hearts. This campaign reminds us that we can only truly cherish and safeguard something when we genuinely comprehend it.