World Heart Day (WHD) was founded in the year of 2000 by Antony Bayes de Luna, the President of World Health Federation (WHF). It was first celebrated on 24th September 2000.
In the year of 1999, the announcement about the establishment of WHD was made by WHF in the conjunction with World Health Organization (WHO).
The WHF was originally formed in 1978 by the combination of ISC (International Society of Cardiology) & ICF (International Cardiology Federation), which became ISFC (International Society & Federation of Cardiology). In the year of 1998, the ISFC changed its name to WHF.
In 1996, UNESCO, WHO & WHF initiated a co-operation project on rheumatic fever, heart diseases & Chaga’s diseases. This co-operation is still continued. Now, WHF is the leading NGO partner of WHO in CVD (Cardiovascular Diseases) and close partner of WHO in Noncommunicable Diseases Department.
World Heart Day was established to inform the people throughout the world that the cardiovascular diseases and strokes are the leading causes of death and about 17.3 million people are dying every year because of this.
The World Heart Day, together with the members of WHF make people aware that about 80% of premature death due to cardiovascular diseases can be avoided if the 4 major risk factors- tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity & harmful use of alcohol can be controlled.
The success of World Heart Day depends on the pro-activity of organizations from around the world to help us spread awareness of CVD, the world’s number one killer.
On this day, educational programs are designed to engage the public. Informations about cardiovascular diseases and prevention ways are communicated to them through public talks, pod-casts, posters, leaflets etc. Runs, walks, concerts, sporting events and fund raising are also organized. Free health check ups, scientific meetings and gatherings of International Cardiovascular Research Organizations & Medical Societies are held. More than 90 countries participate that are the most heavily affected by these diseases.
Every year, theme is given to World Heart Day which communicates the focus of that years celebration. The theme of the first event was Physical Activity. Other themes were Women & Heart Diseases in 2003 & Know Your Risk in 2008 which were intended to raise awareness of CVD in women & helping the individuals identify the factors that place them at risk of CVD respectively.