Use heart, know heart: Celebrating world heart day 2023

This year, the theme for WHD is “Use Heart, Know Heart,” which emphasises on the importance of understanding and caring for heart

Every year on September 29th, World Heart Day (WHD) is celebrated to raise awareness about Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) and promote heart-healthy habits worldwide.

This year, the theme for WHD is “Use Heart, Know Heart,” which emphasises on the importance of understanding and caring for heart. Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death globally, and this year’s theme encourages individuals to take proactive steps towards a healthier heart.

The theme calls for a twofold approach to heart health. Firstly, “Use Heart” urges individuals to be mindful of their heart health by adopting heart-healthy lifestyles. Secondly, “Know Heart” emphasises the importance of knowledge, awareness, and early detection of heart-related issues.

Sharing his thoughts on World Heart Day, Dr Sushant Patil, Senior Consultant, Cardiology, Nanavati Max Super Specialty Hospital said, “On this World Heart Day, we need to realise that the heart, being a lifeline of our existence, needs utmost care to ensure its health. In India today, Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), heart failure, and hypertension rank among the most prevalent heart ailments. Alarmingly, many dismiss the early symptoms of these conditions, attributing them to signs of old age. These aren’t always just signs of aging but can be warnings from the heart itself.  Heaviness or tightness in the chest can occur due to atherosclerosis or plaque build-ups in the coronary arteries, restricting the blood flow to the heart muscle. Shortness of breath can indicate serious conditions like heart failure, where the heart doesn’t pump blood as well as it should. Palpitations are not just signs of anxiety but can result from arrhythmias, where the heart’s electrical signaling is abnormal. These apparent signs of aging could be, in reality indicators of serious heart ailments. Hence its essential to not ignore these symptoms but consult with an experienced cardiologist.”

“For us, more concerning trend is the rising prevalence of heart disease among younger Indians. Sedentary habits, stress, poor dietary choices, and increased tobacco use has led to an earlier onset of heart conditions among the youngsters. Often, youngsters ignore the symptoms of heart ailments as wear and tear of their hectic lifestyle. But recognising early symptoms is critical. Though the advancements in cardiac care, allow effective management of heart related ailments, prevention is the key to healthy heart. Regular health check-ups, balanced diet, consistent physical activity, stress management, and avoiding tobacco in any form, is crucial for heart’s health. This World Heart Day, let’s remember that our heart serves us tirelessly, it’s time we reciprocate with conscious care”, he added.

Dr Kajal Ganguly, Senior interventional Cardiologist AMRI Hospital Kolkata mentions, “This year’s theme serves as a global reminder for everyone to prioritise heart health, symbolising the first step in understanding our own cardiovascular well-being. According to World Health Organisation, cardiovascular diseases are also responsible for one-third of total deaths in India. Uncontrolled blood pressure is one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). It is said that, of the estimated 220 million people in India living with hypertension, only 12% have their blood pressure under control. These numbers highlight the need for awareness of hypertension and importance of regularising frequent blood pressure checks. It is also important to adopt good lifestyle habits, mindful eating, regular physical activity, and stress management. These are essential for maintaining healthy blood pressure levels.  On this World Heart Day, we should all come together to take a pledge to take control of our well-being and equip ourselves with knowledge for taking proactive steps to safeguard our blood pressure , heart health and other cardiovascular risk factors to ensure a healthy life. Love and protect your heart by getting to know it better, because when we know more, we can care better.”

On the occasion of World Heart Day, Dr Mahesh Verma, Chairperson, NABH, highlighted that “This year’s World Heart Day theme, ‘Use Heart, Know Heart,’ underscores the imperative of patient engagement and fostering a profound understanding of the critical self-care measures essential for optimal heart health. The escalating global burden of heart disease necessitates a resolute commitment to quality interventions in the arena of healthcare. Hospitals and healthcare providers following accreditation and certification standards witness a major difference in the management of heart patients. These accreditation and certification standards not only serve as benchmarks but also catalyse a substantial transformation in the care of heart patients. They advocate for the stringent adherence to indispensable protocols and the maintenance of essential prerequisites, including cutting-edge heart monitoring equipment, state-of-the-art technologies, highly proficient medical practitioners and staff, and, most notably, rigorous adherence to fundamental hygiene practices.”

Dr Subash Chandra, Chairman Cardiology, Cardiac Sciences, Cardiac Electrophysiology- Pacemaker, Interventional Cardiology, BLK Hospital highlights, “World Heart Day serves as a poignant reminder of the utmost significance of maintaining a healthy heart. This year’s theme, ‘Use Heart, Know Heart,’ takes on profound meaning when considering our understanding of cardiac functions in maintaining heart health. To gain insight into your heart’s health, the essential starting point is cardiac monitoring. It holds specific importance for individuals encountering sporadic symptoms such as dizziness, heart palpitations, chest pains, or shortness of breath. In the pursuit of heart health, individuals can employ wearable fitness trackers, which diligently record heart rate data throughout the day. This real-time information is invaluable for assessing heart performance and identifying irregularities in their nascent stages. In cases where individuals have a history of heart irregularities or fall into higher-risk categories for cardiac arrhythmias, cardiologists may recommend the use of advanced technology, such as the insertable cardiac monitor (ICM). This tiny device is implanted just beneath the skin through a minimally invasive procedure and offers uninterrupted heart rhythm monitoring, with a particular focus on detecting signs of atrial fibrillation—a condition that, if undiagnosed, can lead to strokes.”

“Recent technological advancements have elevated this monitoring approach by wirelessly transmitting real-time data to smartphones and subsequently to healthcare providers. This means that doctors gain immediate access to vital information about heart performance, irrespective of geographical constraints. The frequency of monitoring should be tailored to an individual’s health status, risk factors, and medical history. Routine check-ups suffice for those without underlying cardiac issues, while patients may require continuous monitoring through devices like ICMs and mobile ECGs. ICMs, in particular, offer both healthcare providers and individuals peace of mind, ensuring a reliable means of tracking and safeguarding cardiac health.”

WHD 2023 is a reminder that individuals hold the power to safeguard their cardiovascular health. By adopting heart-healthy lifestyles and gaining knowledge about heart diseases, one can significantly reduce the global burden of cardiovascular diseases. It’s not just about living longer; it’s about living healthier, more fulfilling lives.