World Heart Day, 29 September: Focus on hidden symptoms and prevention
Campaigns on 29 September emphasise recognising subtle signs, boosting screening and ensuring universal cardiology care.
World Heart Day is observed on 29 September under the slogan "Heart disease can be unnoticed: Catch the beat of the heart! Don't miss a single heartbeat!" The campaign this year stresses recognition of hidden symptoms, public education and policy measures to secure universal access to cardiology care and preventive screening.
Why attention is needed
The day, established in 2000, aims to raise global awareness about cardiovascular disease and the steps people and health systems can take to prevent it. According to the World Heart Federation and the World Health Organization, cardiovascular diseases remain the leading global cause of death, accounting for about 20.5 million deaths each year.
Health experts estimate that more than 620 million people worldwide currently live with some form of cardiovascular condition, with acute myocardial infarction and stroke among the most common and deadly events.
Organizers are focusing messages on how heart conditions can present with subtle or atypical signs, urging individuals and clinicians to be alert and to expand access to screening programmes that can detect risk factors earlier.
Public events and information campaigns scheduled for 29 September aim to combine community outreach with appeals to decision-makers to invest in prevention, primary care and diagnostic capacity so that care reaches all population groups.
Photo: press material from the event
