New Delhi: It has been immortalized in songs, art, literature, music and, of course, the movies. Matters of the heart – whether emotional or physical – have intrigued humans for centuries.
While the extent of emotional connections with the heart is hard to fathom, just the physical aspects of the constantly beating heart have become the stuff for legends. For instance, how many mechanical equipment do we know – for actually, that is what the heart is – that work constantly, silently, ungrudgingly, without stopping, for years and years? And when and if they do, an entire system shuts down?
About the size of a fist, the human heart is taken for granted by each one of us. Unless we get a warning signal, that is. There we are, lounging on the couch, with a bag of our favourite chips in hand, watching the favourite TV show reruns, trying to wipe off the stressful situation at work. These warning usually come in the form of heart attacks, sluggish blood circulation, weakness and dizziness, and lower work productivity.
And it’s not just you and I, millions of people in the world are oblivious to the harm they are causing to their hearts by unhealthy livings. According to a paper published by Harvard Heart Letter, tobacco, sedentary lifestyle, overweight and obesity, poor eating habits and alcohol consumptions are the biggest culprits of cardiovascular diseases. Gone are the days when it was usually an elderly male clutching to his chest in pain, who was portrayed as someone having heart trouble.
Now, girls as young as 18-years are falling prey to unstable hearts. In fact, heart disease is the leading cause of death for humans all over the world. In India itself, studies indicate that if all age groups are included, heart diseases make for nearly 19 per cent deaths in India and are the biggest cause of deaths among men and women across all regions.
And if you think you only have high blood pressure and you will not risk a troubled heart, think again. Factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, depression and obesity are indirectly linked to coronary problems.
It is in keeping with the gravity of the situation that World Heart Day is observed on September 29. Touted as the biggest intervention against cardiovascular disease in the world, the World Heart Day this year focuses on creating heart-healthy environments. As the website states, “By ensuring that people make heart-healthy choices wherever they live, work and play, World Heart Day 2014 encourage us all to reduce our cardiovascular risk, and promotes a heart-healthy planet for those around us.”
It is not just about one day, however. World Heart Day is a reminder that we need to work towards a healthy ticker through the year. And most times, having a healthy heart is not so tough. It is about making some lifestyle changes and making them a part of your life. Some moderate workout, adequate servings of fruits and vegetables, strategies to ward off stress, cutting out tobacco completely and consuming alcohol in moderation does the trick.
WORLD HEART DAY: THE HEALTHY PAST
Here’s a little background on World Heart Day. It was founded in 2000 to inform people around the world about heart diseases and strokes and raise awareness about what is the world’s leading cause of death – it claims 17.3 million lives each year. An annual event, World Heart Day takes place on September 29 every year, and each year has a different theme, which reflects on key issues and topics relating to heart health. For instance, the theme for 2014 is: “Heart-healthy environments”.
WITH A PINCH OF SALT
In association with World Heart Federation members, World Heart Day spreads awareness about the fact that 80 per cent of untimely deaths occur because of cardiovascular diseases. Ironically, these can be avoided if the four biggest risk factors are negated – use of tobacco, unhealthy diet, physical activity and uncontrolled use of alcohol.
On World Heart Day, the World Health Organisation is asking countries to increase awareness about salt consumption among its citizens and reduce overconsumption of the same. For this, WHO has recommended reduction of sodium to prevent heart diseases and strokes and save lives.
WHO is supporting government to implement the “Global action plan to reduce non-communicable diseases”, which comprise nine global targets, including one to reduce global salt intake by a relative 30 per cent by 2025. Said Dr Oleg Chestnov, WHO Assistant Director-General for Non-communicable Diseases and Mental Health, “If the target to reduce salt by 30 per cent globally by 2025 is achieved, millions of lives can be saved from heart disease, stroke and related conditions.”
One of the best ways to limit use of salt is by cutting down on foods that use extra amount of salt, which means processed foods such as bread, cheese, bottled sauces, cured meats and readymade meals. For countries that have populations that face iodine deficiency, a policy should be made to ensure that all salt available is iodized.
