World Heart Day 2021: Use Heart to Connect

For World Heart Day 2021 the International Heart Federation has chosen the theme: Use Heart to Connect. It is vital that we use our hearts to make wise choices about our own and other people’s health. Knowing how to use our hearts, both regarding health and care, is vital in order to achieve a healthier and happier society. 

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is the first world killer, taking the lives of 18’ 6 million people every year, according to the World’s Heart Federation. The World Health Organization (WHO) counts the number of global cardiovascular deaths at a similar number: 17’ 9 million people each year, which represent  32% of the total world’s deaths. The WHF announced in 2021 that 520 million people in the world live with CVD. The World Health Organization alerts that 4 out of 5 deaths are linked to heart attacks and strokes. 

The most common heart diseases are caused by: unhealthy diets, smoking, too much alcohol consumption, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity, and other diseases related to air pollution. 

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) include a big number of diseases, including:

• Coronary Heart disease: Caused by problems in the blood vessels which cannot successfully supply the heart muscle.
• Cerebrovascular disease: Impossibility of the blood vessels to supply the brain.
• Peripheral Arterial disease: Difficulties of blood vessels to supply the arms and legs;
• Rheumatic Heart disease: Damaged heart muscle and heart valves due to rheumatic fever produced by streptococcal bacteria.
• Congenital Heart disease: Birth disease that causes an abnormal structure, development, functioning and malformation of the heart 
• Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism which causes blood clots in the veins of any part of the body, usually the legs. In the long run it can affect your lungs and heart.
• Strokes and heart attacks: They can be caused by many factors, and some of them are still unknown. But we do know that some of the most common causes are stress, smoking and unhealthy habits. Strokes happen when fat is stored in the inner walls of the blood vessels that are supposed to be sent to your heart and brain. 

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic we have seen how many people have lost their lives and people close to them. For World Heart Day 2021 the international organization has announced three priorities for healthy hearts: 

1. EQUITY

Global inequality amongst people living in different social and geographical contexts has a direct impact on health. Not having the right access to awareness, prevention, management and care for healthy hearts can cause the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Even though the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights appoints in it’s 25th Article the right of all human beings to a healthy life and an adequate access to healthcare, the world’s reality is that many people still don’t have the necessary medical services. But technological and scientific advances and researches are working on healthcare treatments and cures. 

2. PREVENTION

Habits that help prevent CVD are mainly: eating a healthy diet, quitting smoking and maintaining yourself active with frequent exercise, regardless of your age and condition. Thanks to some apps and digital tools there are many ways in which you can check and track your diet, exercise and help you to stop smoking. But even if you decide to use some apps to improve your health don’t forget to get regular checkups at your local health center. 

Many diseases and health problems have increased since the Covid-19 pandemic due to a lack of medical checkups, missing medical appointments, doing less exercise, an increase in mental problems and instability, stress, anxiety and depression and a worsening of people’s health in general.

3. COMMUNITY

It is vital that we take care of ourselves, our environment and our nearest people. Taking care of yourself will serve as an example for other people and you’ll have a healthier and happier life. Don’t forget to contact people with CVD regularly to protect their physical and mental health. 

Technological and digital advances

Thanks to growing cardiovascular technologies the risk of heart diseases is decreasing and the treatment of CVD is improving every year. Some of the nearest future technology changes regarding CVD are: 

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) an its variant Machine Learning (ML) for heart imaging, VScans and heart measurements
• Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) for cardiologs and image technology.
• Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), the biggest artery of our bodies.
• Access of Big Data for hospitals to inform about the most recent heart-related research, information, as well as sending tools and resources for heart healthcare. 
• Wearable technologies for patients and people risks of developing heart diseases. Digital tools such as apps for smartphones, Apple’s Smartwatch, Fitbit and other technological devices monitor heart rates, heart beats, and detect arrhythmias. 

In PRODER we want to raise awareness of World Heart Day by preventing healthy lifestyles and thinking about how we can help people with CVD. What are you doing to celebrate World Heart Day? Let us know and remember to stay healthy and take care of your beloved ones.