Explained: Why September 29 is marked as World Heart Day

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that over 17.9 million people die of cardiovascular diseases every year, accounting for over 31 per cent of global deaths.

In 2013, the WHO developed targets to control and prevent non-communicable diseases – of which CVDs make a large part.

September 29 is observed as World Heart Day, an initiative by the World Heart Federation to spread awareness about cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including heart disease and stroke. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that over 17.9 million people die of CVDs every year, accounting for over 31 per cent of global deaths. One-third of these deaths are premature (below 70 years). About 80 per cent of all CVDs manifest themselves as heart attacks or strokes and 75 per cent cases come from low and middle-income countries.