World Heart Day 2025: Don’t Miss a Beat — the fight begins at home
World Heart Day is more than a slogan this year as health officials urge households to tackle cardiovascular disease from the kitchen table to the doctor’s office. With the theme Don’t Miss a Beat, experts emphasize balanced meals and regular checkups as practical, everyday steps, especially during and after pregnancy when women’s heart health deserves heightened attention.
In the WHO South-East Asia Region, the burden is stark: Every minute eight people die due to cardiovascular diseases, a leading cause of premature deaths in people below 70. World Heart Day’s message is reinforced by regional leaders who see prevention as a shared responsibility across communities, health systems, and governments.
Dr Catharina Boehme, Officer-in-charge of WHO South East Asia, highlighted the region’s commitment to reversing this trend. “Today, we also mark two years since our Region adopted the resolution ‘SEAHEARTS: Accelerating Prevention and Control of Cardiovascular Diseases in the South-East Asia Region’,” she said. “The resolution is a regional commitment to address the growing burden of CVDs.” She added that major risk factors include hypertension, diabetes, tobacco use, unhealthy diets high in salt and fats, and physical inactivity. Dr Boehme also stressed the scale of the challenge: “As many as 85% of people living with hypertension and diabetes in the region do not have their conditions under control.”
Together, the SEAHEARTS initiative commits to placing 100 million people with hypertension and/or diabetes on protocol-based management by 2025, and accelerating efforts for tobacco control, salt reduction, and the elimination of trans-fatty acids from the food chain. In parallel, campaigns like the Saving Lives initiative and the deployment of Automated External Defibrillators at major metro stations illustrate practical steps to improve survival and reinforce that prevention and readiness must go hand in hand.
At-Home Prevention: Balanced meals and regular checkups
Experts emphasize that a heart-healthy lifestyle starts at home. A balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, fiber, lean proteins, and whole grains—while limiting salt and saturated fats—can dramatically reduce blood pressure and cholesterol. Regular checkups, including blood pressure, lipid profiles, and glucose tests, help detect problems early and allow for timely interventions.
The pregnancy factor: heart health in women
Dr Annapoorna Kalia, Senior Consultant – Interventional Cardiology, Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital, warns that pregnancy adds another layer of complexity to women’s cardiac health. “Rising blood pressure in the third trimester can sometimes trigger seizures or even maternal death if left unmanaged. What is equally concerning is that nearly 30% of women continue to suffer from hypertension even after delivery, exposing them to long-term cardiovascular risks. Pregnancy-induced hypertension is not just a temporary complication; it can silently shape a woman’s heart health for years. This makes proper monitoring during and after pregnancy absolutely critical.”
Regional action and targets: SEAHEARTS and beyond
With 85% of people living with hypertension and diabetes in the region not having their conditions under control, health systems face mounting pressure amid aging populations and urbanization. Dr Boehme stressed the SEAHEARTS commitment to place 100 million people with hypertension and/or diabetes on protocol-based management by 2025, and to accelerate efforts to reduce tobacco use, salt in the diet, and trans-fatty acids from foods.
Public health campaigns and the broader health system strengthening they represent are essential to turning the tide on cardiovascular diseases. The initiative envisions integrated care that starts with everyday choices—what people eat, how active they are, and how closely they monitor their own health—alongside policy actions that make healthier living easier for everyone.
What you can do today
- Monitor blood pressure regularly, whether at home or with a clinician.
- Limit salt intake and choose foods low in saturated fats.
- Engage in regular physical activity and maintain a healthy weight.
- Avoid tobacco and limit alcohol consumption.
- If you’re pregnant or planning pregnancy, discuss cardiovascular risk with your healthcare provider and ensure post-delivery follow-up plans.
Conclusion: Fight heart disease at home, one meal and one checkup at a time
World Heart Day serves as a reminder that the fight against cardiovascular diseases starts where we live. By choosing balanced meals, staying physically active, and keeping up with regular health checks, families can reduce risk for themselves and future generations. For pregnant women, targeted monitoring and postnatal follow-up are essential to protect both maternal and long-term heart health.
