World Heart Day 2019
Founded in 2000, World Heart Day is an initiative of the World Heart Federation (WHF). It is the world’s biggest platform for raising awareness about cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including heart disease and stroke. The day is dedicated to encouraging individuals, families, communities and governments to take action now, to ensure that everyone has access to essential medicines and that those in need receive appropriate treatment.
On and around September 29th, 1000s of activities and events will be organised around the world to spread the word about how we can combat premature mortality caused by CVD, the world’s number one killer.
This year on World Heart Day, the WHF are asking for people all around the world to be Heart Heroes by making a heart promise to someone they love or care about:
- A promise to our families to cook and eat more healthily
- A promise to our children to exercise more and help them to be more active, to say no to smoking and help our loved ones to stop
- A promise as a healthcare professional to help patients give up smoking and lower their cholesterol
- A promise as a policymaker to support policies that promote healthy hearts
- A promise as an employee to invest in heart-healthy workplaces
A simple promise … for MY HEART, for YOUR HEART, for ALL OUR HEARTS.
Looking after your heart means taking small but meaningful actions: eating a balanced diet, undertaking regular exercise, reducing your alcohol intake, quitting smoking … all the things that make you not only healthier but also able to enjoy your life to the fullest. Together we have the power to reduce the burden of, and premature deaths from, CVD, helping people everywhere to live longer, better, heart-healthy lives because everyone has the right to heart health!
This year World Heart Day will be celebrated on Monday, September 30th at both the Red Cross Children's and Tygerberg Hospitals where staff will hand out heart shaped cookies and apples to children in the wards.
Remember to wear red this World Heart Day to show your support and help raise awareness about heart health!