Put Your Heart First This ‘World Heart Day’

World Heart Day was first observed in 1999 and the day has come to be observed on 29th September every year.  

It raises awareness around the cause and prevention of Cardiovascular diseases around the world. 

As part of these efforts, the World Heart Federation recognizes people from all walks of life who have shown commitment, courage, empathy and care in relation to heart health as “Heart Heroes.”

Heart disease continues to be the number one cause of death in the UAE, so it’s more important than ever to identify and share simple ways to keep your heart healthy.

The heart is one of our body’s most vital and hardworking organs. Every day it pumps nearly 2000 gallons of blood. Such a task requires a strong heart, literally. So, you can imagine the importance of having a healthy heart. The food we eat will impact the heart. If we drink caffeine, the heart speeds up. If we have too many saturated fats, our heart tends to end up encased in fat.

Obesity is a key risk factor for heart disease, and is often associated with high blood pressure and diabetes – both of which can have a negative impact on the heart.

But it’s not all about what we eat. Being active is also key to keeping our hearts healthy.

There are many ways to incorporate incremental changes throughout your week that will help you be more active. Here are a few things to try out:

• Get your body moving – rake the leaves outside or mow the lawn.
• Pick up the pace when you’re on a walk, with yourself, your friends or your dog.
• Wear sneakers and make it a walking meeting. This way you and your co-workers get health benefits. 
• Before you shower, take a few minutes to do simple exercises like jumping jacks, squats, wall sits, push-ups or planks.

The beauty of it all is that you don’t have to go to a gym or buy special equipment. Just getting moving can have health benefits that add up.

This World Heart Day, we encourage you to find opportunities that work with your schedule to keep your heart healthy.

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