World Heart Day was founded in 2000 to inform people around the globe that heart disease and stroke are the world’s leading causes of death, claiming 17.3 million lives each year.
World Heart Day is an annual event which takes place on 29 September every year. Each year’s celebrations have a different theme, reflecting key issues and topics relating to heart health. This year our theme is creating heart-healthy environments (see below).
Together with World Heart Federation members, World Heart Day spreads the news that at least 80% of premature deaths from cardiovascular disease (CVD) could be avoided if four main risk factors – tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol – are controlled.
The success of World Heart Day depends on the proactivity of organizations from around the world to help us spread awareness of CVD, the world’s number one killer. For more information about how to get involved this year, click here.
This year, World Heart Day’s theme is creating heart-healthy environments. The places in which we live, work and play should not increase our risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). But individuals frequently cannot make heart-healthy choices due to environmental factors, such as the availability of healthy food or smoke-free zones.
We invite you to:
Join the global movement for better heart-healthy choices, wherever you live, work and play.
Get involved by:
Following us on Twitter, using the hashtag #heartchoices
Following us on Facebook and using our World Heart Day Twibbon
Planning activities in your local area
Donating and making a difference
Becoming a World Heart Day sponsor or partner