text: Published on September 29, 2020 | News Source: Rubee B Das
  Guwahati, September 29: In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the World Heart Federation has urged people around the world to 'Use Heart to Beat Cardio Vascular Disease' through the message, "In the time of COVID – 19, taking care of your heart is more important than ever before." In these unprecedented times when the world is coming to terms with and fighting a pandemic, it is extremely essential now to maintain good heart health.
  The world Heart Federation (WHF) in conjunction with the World Health Organization announced 29th September as World Heart Day. The idea for this annual event was conceived by Antoni Baye`s de Lune, president of WHF from 1997-99.
  According to the World Heart Federation, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the primary cause of death in the world. In India, one-fourth of all mortality is attributable to CVDs. Ischemic heart disease and stroke are the predominant causes and are responsible for >80% of CVD deaths. In the latest Global Burden of Diseases study (2016), the age-standardized CVD death rate in India was estimated to be 272 per 100,000 population, which is higher than the global average (235 per 100,000 population).
  The Three things of special concern for India are the rapid rise in CVDs, early age of disease onset in the population, high case fatality rate. Premature mortality in terms of years of life lost because of CVD in India increased by 59% between 1990 and 2010. (Source: REACH).
  This year, on World Heart Day, the federation aims to spread awareness about taking care of our hearts which can happen through changes in lifestyle and inculcating healthy eating habits among the other things. Heart diseases can be prevented but not be completely cured. Certain types of heart disease, such as heart defects, can't be prevented. However, many other types of heart disease can be prevented by making lifestyle changes.