World Heart Day 2024: Prevention starts at home
World Heart Day is a reminder that the fight against cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) begins long before a hospital visit. With the global campaign theme Don’t Miss a Beat, health professionals are urging individuals and communities to prioritize daily habits—balanced meals, regular checkups, and proactive care for high-risk groups—to curb rising CVD deaths. In the South-East Asia Region, where CVDs claim lives at an alarming rate, home-based prevention remains a critical frontline strategy.
South-East Asia’s urgent heart-health challenge
According to WHO data cited on World Heart Day, eight people die every minute from cardiovascular diseases in the region. CVDs are among the leading causes of premature death, affecting many before age 70. Dr Catharina Boehme, Officer-in-charge of WHO South-East Asia, notes that the region faces a growing burden due to ageing populations and rapid urbanization, compounded by lifestyle factors such as hypertension, diabetes, tobacco use, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity.
To address this, the SEAHEARTS resolution—adopted two years ago—embeds a regional commitment to scale up prevention and control of CVDs. The program aims to put 100 million people with hypertension and/or diabetes on protocol-based management by 2025 and to accelerate efforts around tobacco control, salt reduction, and the elimination of trans fats from the food chain.
Pregnancy and heart health: a special risk window
Cardiovascular risk does not vanish after delivery. Dr Annapoorna Kalia, Senior Consultant – Interventional Cardiology at Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital, highlights that pregnancy introduces a distinct risk layer. “Rising blood pressure in the third trimester can sometimes trigger seizures or even maternal death if left unmanaged,” she cautions. Equally concerning is that nearly 30% of women experience hypertension after delivery, exposing them to long-term cardiovascular risks. “Pregnancy-induced hypertension is not merely a temporary complication; it can silently shape a woman’s heart health for years. This makes proper monitoring during and after pregnancy absolutely critical,” Dr Kalia adds.
What you can do: practical steps for heart-healthy living
Experts emphasize simple, evidence-based actions that individuals can take at home and in daily life. These include:
- Adopting a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats while limiting salt, added sugars, and saturated fats.
- Regular blood pressure monitoring at home and routine lipid and glucose screenings through primary care or community health programs.
- Engaging in regular physical activity—aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly, plus strength training.
- Avoiding tobacco use and limiting alcohol consumption to reduce CVD risk factors.
- Ensuring targeted care for high-risk groups, including pregnant women and new mothers, with postpartum follow-ups and cardiovascular risk assessment.
The SEAHEARTS plan emphasizes system-wide support to sustain these habits, from public health messaging to accessible clinics and standardized treatment protocols. As Dr Boehme notes, strengthening country-level health systems is essential to turn prevention into real, measurable outcomes for millions.
Don’t Miss a Beat: turning awareness into action
World Heart Day serves as a call to action for individuals, families, and communities. By making balanced meals, routine checkups, and pregnancy-related cardiovascular care a normal part of life, societies can reduce preventable and premature deaths from CVDs. The regional commitment through SEAHEARTS demonstrates that shared goals—backed by concrete targets—can transform awareness into healthier hearts across the region.
