World Heart Day : Don’t miss a beat
Dr Kshetrimayum Kala Singh
“Cardiovascular Disease is Public Health enemy number one”
“Each year 20.5 million peoples die of cardiovascular disease, of this death, 35% are due to coronary heart diseases (eg heart attack)”
This year also the World Heart Day is observed on 29th September 2025 all over the world. Different organizations across the globe observe this day through events and activities promoting Heart help.
We must love our heart. With the help of our heart contraction we are surviving. For every second the heart is contracting (beating 72) times per minute and giving blood to the brain and other parts of our body. Once the heart contraction is stopped the body will not be able to get blood and our life will be finished. So “SURVIVAL OF OUR LIFE DEPENDS ON THE CONTRACTION (BEAT) OF OUR HEART”.
The theme for this year is “DON’T MISS A BEAT”. This theme is very important for us. It is supporting individuals to care for their heart and empowering them to urge leaders to take cardiovascular (Heart and Blood Vessels) health seriously by providing a global platform for action. This day urges timely action for hearth health. The heart is the strongest muscle in our body. It started beating about three weeks after being conceived and when we are 70 years old, the heart will have beaten two and half billion times. This year gives a strong warning to use for not missing even a single beat or contraction of the heart, because such missing will give a serious problem in our life. If the 1st missing beat is unaware or the missing beat (contraction) is repeatedly happened for a longer time, our life is unpredictable or life may be finished.
When the heart is unhealthy, the missing beat (contraction) will occur. So we must help and support the heart for keeping “HEART HEALTHY”.
For a healthy heart regular exercise, a balanced diet and lifestyle modification (particularly avoiding smoking, alcohol, pan, talab, khaini), maintaining body weight, control BP, control blood sugar, control cholesterol & triglyceride, avoiding tension and regular exercise are highly essential.
This awareness is given to them and efforts should be maintained whether they are mainting or doing this awareness. A great work and efforts particularly repeated warning and instruction should be given to the public through media and other civil society organisations.
The public must also know something about the heart. It is a very powerful muscular organ inside the chest lying on the left side. We must remember that keeping good heart is highly essential for the survival of our life. If the heart is sick or physically inactive, we will not be able to survive. So, everybody must know the value of heart in our life.
Each year 20.5 million peoples die of cardiovascular disease in the world. As a way to fight this, the World Heart Federation created World Heart Day wef 24th September 2000, but later on it changed to 29th September for every year. Fortunately the main causes of cardiovascular disease are modifiable factors which include lack of exercise, smoking and a poor diet. Economic systems of countries are also majority impacted by cardiovascular disease. The cost of treatment is high and failure to treat the disease results in loss of productivity and long absences from work. Celebrating this heart day brings together organizations and individuals to drive in international action and inspire heart healthy behavious, aiming for significant reduction in Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) related morbidity and mortality.
Some of the important and burning heart diseases are Hypertension, Ischaemic Heart Disease (Heart attack), Heart Block, Heart failure, cardiomyopathies and Rheumatic Heart disease.
On the other hand the important blood vessel diseases are the Atherosclerosis, Thrombosis, Embolison, Stroke and Aneurysm etc.
Many Government and Non- Government Organizations celebrate world heart day in different forms like.
• Health Checks
• Sports events, including Walks, runs and fitness sessions.
• Public talks and Sciences forms.
• Stage shows and concerts.
• Exhibitions.
India is faced with 3 important causes of heart disease
1. Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) which presently has disappeared in western countries but it still rampant in among children here.
2. High blood pressure and
3. Ishaemic Heart Disease (Heart Attacks and Stroke). The last is assuming frightening proportions all over India.
In India, every year 2 million of peoples die from heart disease. Also out of the 100 patients admitted in the Hospital there are 10-15 patients are suffering from heart disease.
So, it is high time for us to give message and awareness to the public for the prevention of HeartDisease particularly Rheumatic Heart Disease, Hypertension and Ischaemic Heart Disease and Cardiomyopathy.
The following precautions to be taken by us for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
1. Diet : A good diet, containing unsaturated fats, low sugar and high protein should be taken. With plenty of fruits. Fats like butter, ghee, dalda, coconut oil, mutton, beef, pork, bacon, egg yolk etc. to be avoided. Green vegetable salads, green leafy vegetables, vegetable soups, lime & tomato juice to be taken frequently.
2. Smoking : To be completely avoided. It is injurious to heart and lungs. Different types of cancers may arise in our body after smoking.
3. Hypertension : Its is a silent killer. We should maintain our BP 120/80 mmhg. Taking excess of salt, fatty diets, stress and strain to be avoided.
4. Dyslipedemia: High level of Cholesterol and Triglyceride may cause Heart attack at the early of life. Excess of taking fresh meat, fish and saturated oils to be avoided.
5. Diabetes: High level of sugar in Blood will cause Heart attack, Retinophy, Nephropathy and Neuropathy. So, sugar to be avoided if the Blood sugar is high. People living with diabetes are twice as likely to develop and die from cardiovascular disease.
6. Alcohol: Excess use of alcohol will cause Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Cirrhosis. So, it should be avoided in our life.
7. Abdominal Obesity: The more obesity of the abdomen will cause Metabolic syndrome. So, control of diet containing for saturated fats to be done.
8. Exercise and Physical Activity Guidelines - Physical activity strengthens the heart, lowers blood pressure, improves cholesterol, and aids weight control. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise weekly, plus muscle-strengthening activities at least twice per week. Even daily walking, cycling, or dancing makes a significant difference.
9. Sedentary life style: Precaution should be taken, Regular exercise and control of diet to be done.
10. Sleep, Stress, and Mental Wellness - Mental health and restful sleep are critical yet often overlooked risk modulators. Prioritise 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Use relaxation techniques, mindfulness, or counseling to manage stress. Better mental wellness reduces cortisol levels, lowers inflammation, and supports better cardiovascular outcomes.
"IT IS NEVER TOO EARLY AND NEVER TOO LATE TO START TAKING CARE OF YOUR HEART"
LOVE YOUR HEART, HEART IS YOUR LIFE
The writer is past President, Manipur Heart Care Society, Imphal