Borjana Pervan
Chief Operating Officer & Deputy to the CEO, World Heart Federation
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) can strike anyone, at any age, and is still claiming the most lives — around 20 million every year — yet it’s a fight we can win.
Healthy lifestyles, environments and proper care access will reduce the toll of cardiovascular disease (CVD), the top cause of death and disability that is stealing our health.
Prevention can reduce risk of heart disease
A healthy lifestyle that includes nutritious foods and physical activity is key. Sometimes, despite efforts, health challenges might arise, so it’s important to track measures such as cholesterol, blood sugar and hypertension.
This year’s#WorldHeartDay campaign rallies across six continents to raise awareness, inspire action and celebrate heart health. The theme #DontMissABeat, reminds us to make good daily choices, such as moving more, connecting with those we love and building healthier communities.
A healthy lifestyle that
includes nutritious foods
and physical activity is key.
A health right and policy imperative
Knowledge, supported by commitment to implement it, will make the difference. In the face of tangible loss, calling for policy change might seem abstract, yet good healthcare systems can make the difference between productive lives and lives cut short and disability.
Healthcare is a right; ensuring citizens’ access to good medical consultation, treatment and follow-up care without personal financial burden is policymakers’ imperative. Making healthcare a reality starts with having a plan: for example, hypertension is a major risk factor for CVD, yet four of five people who have it are inadequately treated. Managing hypertension is therefore a key ask in the petition to improve heart health.
Mapping a path
Five avenues for a better prognosis requires:
- Treating 500 million more people with hypertension by 2030
- Achieving 50% global hypertension control by 2050
- Adopting at least 50% excise taxes on tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks
- Implementing WHO air quality standards to reduce CVD from air pollution
- Committing to a 50% reduction in NCD-related deaths and disability by 2050 across all ages
In an era of enhanced diagnostics and AI-assisted medical procedures, let’s also pay attention to the basics: supporting prevention, treatment and care access for all.
