Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including heart attacks and strokes, are the number one cause of death globally: more people die annually from CVDs than from any other cause. By 2030, almost 23.6 million people will die from CVDs, mainly from heart disease and stroke. These are projected to remain the single leading causes of death. Recent reports show that there is a slight improvement in the mortality of cardiovascular diseases at MOH hosp itals over the period from 2008 to 2010, according to the Statistical Yearbook 1431H. Mortality went down from 17.99% to 16.39% and then 16.74% in the years 2008, 2009 and 2010 respectively.
According to the latest MOH's statistics, to be updated this year, a number of indicators of risk factors have been detected:
- Rise of blood cholesterol: 18.6% in men and 19.7% in women.
- Rise of hypertension to 21.3% (24.2% in men and 18.5% in women). Confirmed cases over one year were distributed as such: 10.3% in men and 12.9% in women.
- Ration of smokers: 21.2% in men, and 1.3% in women.
Internationally Approved Date: 29/9/2012
Locally Approved Date: 13/11/1433H
The World Heart Day is activated every year on September 29th. This year's day is celebrated under the theme: “One World, One Home, One Hearth”. It is basically intended to raise people's awareness of the health factors associated to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), such as obesity, lack of physical activity and smoking (tobacco-use), as well as the ways and suggestions to reduce the burden of such factors to the lowest possible level.
The logo of this year's World Heart Day places particular emphases on children and women. The CVDs afflicting these two groups are not alike.
Women underestimate their CVD risk, due to the common incidence of cardiovascular diseases among men and older persons; even though almost half of the 17.3 million annual deaths occur in women.
Children are particularly at risk, since they have little control over their environment and can be limited in choices to live heart-healthily. CVD morbidity is likely to increase among children proper punitive actions are taken.
Women/mothers are often the “gate keeper” to their family’s health hence a key influencer in keeping their hearts healthy.
Events & Activities:
In cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Heart Federation is organizing health events and activities in over 100 countries. Such activities include conducting medical examinations, organizing marches and running competitions, with a view to maintaining\ increasing people's fitness. That's to be added to public conversations, artistic shows, scientific symposia, exhibitions, festivals, and games.
Targeted Groups:
- Women suffering from CVDs.
- Children.
- The public.
- Health decision makers.
- Health practitioner.
Objectives and General Messages of the World Heart Day:
- Enhancing people's heart health by reducing the risk factors associated with such behaviors and lifestyles as smoking, lack of activity and malnutrition.
- Focusing on children and women with cardiovascular diseases, by conducting early examinations and providing the necessary treatment.
- Raising people's health awareness, by such means as awareness brochures, on the risk factors triggering CVDs and strokes.
- Developing health policies (such as banning tobacco-use).
- Fostering healthy dietary habits, by providing sufficient information on the harms of overweight and unhealthy food, as well as including whole grain meals in the diet, and eating natural fruit and vegetables.
- Raising people's awareness of the importance of exercise, for at least 30 minutes a day, given its necessity for reducing the risk of CVDs.
- Providing appropriate places for sport and exercise.
Theme of the World Heart Day:
“One World, One Home, One Heart” – It reiterates the close relation between the heart health and adopting a healthy lifestyle at home, in the surrounding community and the whole world
Logo: 
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