Every year on September 29, World Heart Day is observed to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease (CVD), the world’s number one killer. This year's theme is "Use Heart for Action."
Collectively, conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels—such as heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure—cause over 20.5 million deaths annually. Most of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
80% of premature deaths from CVD are preventable. By making small changes to our lifestyle—like what we eat and drink, how much we exercise, and how we manage stress—we can better take care of our heart health and defeat CVD.
The World Health Organization's Southeast Asia Region, home to a quarter of the global population, faces a heavy burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with cardiovascular disease (CVD) responsible for 3.9 million deaths annually, accounting for 30% of all deaths. Alarmingly, almost half (48%) of these CVD-related deaths are premature, affecting people aged 30 to 70, placing significant socio-economic burdens on families, communities, and countries.
Key contributors to CVD include modifiable lifestyle factors such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diets (particularly high salt intake), and lack of physical activity. Elevated blood pressure and glucose levels are major drivers, which can be detected, diagnosed, and effectively managed in primary care. In the region, one in four adults has high blood pressure, one in ten has diabetes, and less than 15% receive effective treatment. Additionally, high blood lipid levels and suboptimal management of acute cardiovascular events worsen CVD death rates.
Tobacco use is decreasing in the region, thanks to the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Countries like Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand have taken steps to eliminate trans-fatty acids from their national food supplies, benefiting 1.7 billion people.
In Bangladesh, an estimated 277,000 people die from heart disease each year, with 24% of these deaths attributed to tobacco use.
Several countries in the region, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Timor-Leste, have set national targets to improve the management of hypertension and diabetes in primary healthcare by 2025, aligning with the SEAHEARTS initiative to reach 100 million people with hypertension and provide protocol-based diabetes management by 2025. India aims to cover 75 million people with hypertension and diabetes under standard care, making it the largest NCD coverage in primary healthcare globally.
How to Maintain a Healthy Heart:
Exercise: Adults need at least 30 minutes of exercise, five days a week, to keep the heart healthy.
Diet: Eliminate saturated fats from animal sources from your diet.
Rest: Take adequate breaks and rest. Complete relaxation is beneficial for the heart.
Weight Control: If your weight exceeds the recommended BMI, work on reducing it.
Quit Smoking: As smoking causes numerous diseases, quitting is essential for a healthy heart.
Positive Attitude and Stress Reduction: Mental peace is crucial for heart health. Reducing stress and fostering positive relationships with those around you is also essential.