World Heart Day 2024

Heart Health

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the world’s number one killer. Combined, conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels – such as heart attack, stroke and heart failure – kill more than 20.5 million every year. The majority of these deaths happen in low- and middle-income countries.

World Heart Day Is A Global, Multi-Lingual Celebration

Spanning six continents, our hundreds of World Heart Federation (WHF) member organisations, the countless schools, universities, sports clubs and the vibrant cardiology community make World Heart Day (WHD) a truly global celebration.

Every year these groups and individuals bring their local flair, favour and colours to festivities, marking the day by sharing heart healthy regional specialties, leading a dance to get the whole community moving, and sharing life-saving lessons far and wide.

What Is Cardiovascular Disease?

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the world’s number one killer. CVD is a class of diseases that affect the heart or blood vessels (veins and arteries). More people die from CVD worldwide than from any other cause: over 20.5 million every year. Of these deaths, 85% are due to coronary heart diseases (e.g heart attacks) and cerebrovascular diseases (e.g. strokes) and mostly affect low- and middle-income countries.

Did you know that your heart is the size of your fist and the strongest muscle in your body? It started beating about three weeks after you were conceived. If you live to be 70, it will have beaten two and a half billion times. However, although impressive and strong, your heart can also become vulnerable from habitual risk factors like smoking, diabetes, cholesterol, eating an unhealthy diet, or living with high blood pressure.

The system can also be weakened from a pre-existing heart condition and other physiological factors, including hypertension or high blood cholesterol. When your heart’s functions become compromised, this is known as cardiovascular disease, a broad term that covers any disorder to the system that has the heart at its centre.

Want to know more about World Heart Day? Click here.

Heart Health Useful Resources

This idea is a walk in the park. It really is that simple, post a news item to see how...
Cancer Focus NI, Keeping Well vans are mobile drop-in units which bring health checks,...
Well Checks Our 'Well Check' is a comprehensive cardiovascular health check that can...
Well mind is a workshop which focuses on recognising the triggers of stress and the...
Is your heart condition.... Stopping you doing the things you want to do? Limiting your...
This supportive behaviour change programme motivates individuals who are ready to make...
Is your lung condition... Stopping you getting a good night’s sleep? Making you feel...
Work Well Live Well is a FREE workplace health and wellbeing support programme funded by...
There are a number of health campaigns throughout the year to raise awareness of...
As well as continuing to offer services to people with chest, heart and stroke conditions...
Educating and inspiring people in our local communities to lead a healthy and active...
Well NI is our range of workplace health promotion services which aim to improve people’s...
Our interactive webinars empower people to make informed lifestyle changes that will...
If you’re living with a long-term chest, heart or stroke condition, then our Taking...
Our information and wellness sessions delivered across NI focus on secondary prevention,...
If you’re living with a respiratory condition, then our Breathing Better team is here to...
Delivered over 6 weeks, this online cardiac education programme brings together groups of...
Active 10 is a free and easy to use walking app that tracks your walking and shows you...
Nutrition scanner
Food diary, exercise tracker and diet coach
Support to drink responsibly
It’s an easy to follow programme known the world over, and perfect for those new to...
The Heart Age Test tells you your heart age compared to your real age.
Use this tool to enter your blood pressure reading and find out what it means, along with information on how to reduce a high reading.

Heart Health Helplines & Web Chats

Heart UK - Cholesterol Helpline
British Heart Foundation - Forum
British Heart Foundation Helpline
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