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According to the World Heart Federation (WHF), cardiovascular disease (CVD) claims over 20.5 million lives each year. “Up to 80 per cent of premature CVD deaths are preventable through affordable access to care, early screening, and more opportunities to make healthy choices in nutrition and stay active,” said the organisation. This year on World Heart Day, which falls on 29th September, the WHF want to unite all six continents to raise awareness and inspire action in the spirit of good heart health.
What is CVD?
Cardiovascular disease is a general term which describes conditions affecting the heart of blood vessels, and is associate with a build-up of fatty deposits inside the arteries and an increased risk of blood clots. According to the NHS, it is one of the main causes of death and disability in the UK. Some CVD conditions can be hereditary, but most can be prevented by leading a healthy lifestyle. Other conditions that fall under this umbrella term include angina, heart attacks, heart failure, strokes and mini-strokes, peripheral arterial disease, and aortic disease. Things like high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes, kidney disease, being overweight or obese, and inactivity are some of the causes of CVD.
The aim of the game
“WHF calls on everyone, community groups, schools, local leaders, global policy makers and all [those] along the medical and health chain to beat cardiovascular disease,” said the organization. “Lives don’t have to be cut short by CVD. This year’s World Heart Day Campaign is brimming with resources for everyone to get involved,” said Sean Taylor, director of science and public health at WHF. The 2025 theme, ‘Don’t Miss a Beat’, serves as a reminder to make good choices daily that will benefit our heart health. This includes moving more, connecting with those we love, and building healthier, more active communities, says the WHF. However, one of the most important ways to combat CVD and CVD mortality, is through prevention.
The key is in the prevention
“Prevention is one of our strongest tools in the fight against CVD,” said the WHF. “Making people aware of early risks to heart health, when and where to get screened, and appropriate actions to stop CVD in its tracks.” Following this train of thought, the pharmacy team have much to contribute. “Pharmacy teams, through their extensive contact with individuals, patients, caregivers and families have special reach in their respective communities,” said Sean. “Pharmacy teams can encourage blood pressure checks onsite, recommend further monitoring, and advise on choice of apparatus for at-home monitoring, making the often little-understood link between hypertension and heart disease [apparent to customers].”
The ‘Don’t Miss a Beat’ campaign is yet another example of the importance of a healthy, balanced lifestyle and the underestimated impact of a routine that incorporates regular exercise, nutritional food, and limited alcohol and tobacco intake. It is one of the key preventative measures when it comes to CVD disease and the risk factors that cause it. “Healthy lifestyle habits don’t come in a pill, yet pharmacy teams are well-placed to promote awareness of the role of nutrition, physical activity, and smoking cessation,” said the WHF. Provide smoking cessation advice and being knowledgeable about available products when customers are looking to quit is one of the best ways to decrease CVD risk.
Lend your voice
The WHF is also encouraging people this World Heart Day to sign their petition for strong cardiovascular health plans. “Every two seconds, someone dies from cardiovascular disease, yet only one to two per cent of global health funding is allocated to tackling cardiovascular conditions and other noncommunicable disease,” said the WHF. The petition, which you and your customers can sign is calling for treatment of those with hypertension, the implementation of World Health Organization (WHO) air quality standards, the adoption of “at least 50 per cent taxes on tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks” and for 50 per cent of global hypertension to be under control by 2050.
“Pharmacy teams are allies in the fight for better care and cardiovascular health for all,” said Sean. “And ‘the more the merrier’, so let’s spread the word about regular checkups, greater awareness of the risks that can be curtailed and the increasing remedies for happy, healthy living.”
“Up to 80 per cent of premature CVD deaths are preventable through affordable access to care”
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