World Heart Day 2022 is Thursday, September 29. Created by the World Heart Federation in collaboration with the World Health Organization, World Heart Day raises awareness about cardiovascular disease, the world’s leading cause of death, with the purpose of educating people to take action to reduce their risk factors and prevent cardiovascular disease.
For 2022, the focus of World Heart Day is to “use heart for every heart,” encouraging people to make decisions, to take action, and to reach as many individuals as possible to help achieve cardiovascular health for every heart.
How can you get involved? The World Heart Federation encourages everyone to #UseHeart to spread the word this World Heart Day:
Share Heart Health Facts and Information
This year’s World Heart Day theme focuses on raising awareness and sharing information in three key areas:
Use heart for humanity: On a global scale, nearly half of all deaths from non-communicable diseases are due to cardiovascular conditions and diseases, with heart disease and stroke responsible for nearly 18.6 million deaths worldwide. Over 75% of these deaths occur in low-to middle-income countries. Better access to healthcare for treatment and support can improve heart health.
Use heart for nature: We all know lifestyle (diet and exercise) contributes to cardiovascular disease, but did you know that environment also affects heart health? Air pollution is responsible for 25% of all cardiovascular disease deaths—7 million deaths every year. A healthier planet can lead to healthier hearts.
Use heart for you: Getting regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and eating a heart-healthy diet can all help you lower your risk for heart disease. But did you know your mental health can impact your heart health? Psychological stress can double the risk of having a heart attack. Practicing mediation, exercising, and getting enough sleep (7 – 9 hours every night for adults) can help to lower stress levels and improve your heart health.
The World Heart Federation has a library of resources, including graphics for social media, fact sheets and leaflets that can be shared online or printed and distributed to your community.
Share Your Story
#UseHeart for you (and others) by sharing your story. Have you made lifestyle changes due to heart disease? Share your heart healthy plan and how you’re progressing. Have you or a loved one suffered from a heart attack or stroke? Share how you’re overcoming, surviving and thriving. Do you or a loved one have a pacemaker? Whatever your heart story may be, share it with your social network on September 29 using the hashtag #UseHeart.
Participate in the World Heart Day Challenge
A sedentary lifestyle can lead to doubling your risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity, according to the World Health Organization. One of the best ways to combat cardiovascular disease is to get moving! The American Heart Association suggests getting in “at least 150 minutes (two and a half hours) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week.”
On September 29, accept the challenge to walk, run or bike a heart shape around your city. Participate as an individual, form a group, or join a community World Heart Day Challenge by submitting your form here.
Living World Heart Day Every Day
Every day, we see the challenges hearts around the world face. Lack of access to medical care, technology, and supplies limits the prevention and diagnosis of cardiovascular conditions, including the estimated 2-3 million people who die annually because they cannot afford pacemaker surgery. Our belief that no one should die because they cannot afford a simple cardiac procedure is what drives our mission to do everything we can to care ForHearts in need around the globe. For us, every day is World Heart Day.
This September 29, raise awareness of World Heart Day and the effects of cardiovascular disease by helping us to raise awareness of ForHearts Worldwide and fund the work we’re doing around the world to provide live-saving pacemaker procedures to hearts in need.
As you #UseHeart to share information, stories, and updates on social for World Heart Day, be sure to tag ForHearts Worldwide in your posts:
- Facebook @ForHeartsWorldwide
- Instagram @forheartsworldwide
- Twitter @ForHeartsWW
- LinkedIn ForHearts Worldwide
Make your donation to ForHearts Worldwide in honor of World Heart Day.