World Heart Day 2023: Date, Theme, and Why It Matters

World Heart Day is a global reminder to take care of your heart. Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in the world. According to the World Heart Federation, more than 20.5 million people die each year from conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels, such as heart attack, stroke and heart failure. World Heart Day raises awareness about the importance of having a healthy heart through various global activities.

Date
World Heart Day is observed every year on 29 September to raise awareness about heart disease and preventive measures that can help prevent and manage cardiovascular diseases.

theme
The theme of World Heart Day 2023 is "Use the heart, know the heart."

Use hearts: This means using the heart emoji to promote the theme and significance of the day. The World Heart Federation mentions that emojis are one of the most popular forms of communication today that can help hold people's attention and overcome language barriers.

Know the Heart: With 'Know the Heart', the theme seeks to empower individuals to take control of their well-being as knowledge about heart health is limited. So, when you know your heart more, you can take better care of it.

Know your heart
Since this year's theme focuses on knowing your heart, here are some factors that can help you know if your heart is healthy.

Signs of a healthy heart:
1. Healthy blood pressure

High blood pressure is a common problem that can increase the risk of heart failure. Therefore, checking your blood pressure numbers can help you know your risk.

Low blood pressure is also not good for your heart.

2. Normal heart rate

Your pulse helps you understand the strength of your blood flow and blood pressure in different parts of the body. A slow or fast heartbeat can help you understand the health of your heart. If you are unable to do so, you can seek help from your doctor.

3. General blood test reports

A blood report can help determine levels of sodium, potassium, creatinine, and other elements that are linked to your heart health in many ways.

4. Healthy cholesterol levels

Low cholesterol levels can block your arteries and increase your risk of heart attack. Therefore, maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is important for a healthy heart. A simple blood test can help determine your cholesterol level.