Around 17.9 million people die annually from heart disease

(Patria) - Across the planet, drawing attention to the importance of preserving heart health, healthcare professionals are marking September 29 as World Heart Day, emphasizing on this date from the Association of Public Health Specialists of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH). This year, this date is globally marked under the slogan "Be a Hero for Your Heart".

According to data from the World Health Organization, around 17.9 million people worldwide die annually from heart and blood vessel diseases, and it is estimated that by 2030, they will be the cause of 23 million deaths. This is more than HIV, malaria, or cancer. 

The Association also points out and warns that as much as 80 percent of premature deaths from heart and blood vessel diseases can be avoided by making a few simple changes in your daily life, such as a healthy diet, physical activity, and quitting smoking, regular blood pressure and cholesterol checks, managing body weight, and regular physical activity. 

Heart and blood vessel diseases were one of the leading topics of the three-day Symposium of Public Health Specialists of FBiH, which concluded yesterday in Zenica, organized by this Association and hosted by the Institute for Health and Food Safety Zenica (INZ), under the slogan "Health - A Shared Responsibility".

 "We call on citizens to introduce these seemingly small changes into their lives and habits, which will enable them to live longer, healthier, and better lives. Let World Heart Day be a day when we motivate each other to be an example of possible changes for the better health of all of us," the Association of Public Health Specialists of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) states.

The most common risk factors for cardiovascular diseases are smoking, an unbalanced and unhealthy diet, insufficient physical activity, and excessive alcohol consumption.