World Heart Day 2008 - ‘Know Your Risk’ - is a call to action to help people better understand their personal risk for cardiovascular disease, including hypertension (high blood pressure). It will be held on 28 September.

Heart health screening and other activities for the public are being planned in over one hundred countries worldwide.

Heart disease and stroke is the world’s largest killer, claiming 17.5 million lives each year. That’s why World Heart Day was created, to create public awareness of risk factors for heart disease and stroke and to promote preventive measures.

The theme of this year’s World Heart Day is “Know Your Risk!” Organized by World Heart Federation members and partners, World Heart Day activities include free heart health screenings, walks, runs, jump rope sessions, fitness events, public talks, scientific forums, exhibitions, concerts, sports tournaments and much more.

Go Red for Women

Heart disease and stroke kills more women each year than cancer, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and malaria combined.

Worldwide, an average of more than 16 women per minute die of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke.

The Go Red for Women international campaign aims to reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women by building global attention and commitment to CVD in women.

Women can take action now to reduce the number of deaths and disability from heart disease and stroke

Enjoy your heart health

small ways to do exercise in a busy schedule!

Get off the bus three stops earlier and walk the rest of the way.

Systematically use the stairs instead of the lift.

Start thinking about your loved ones!

Share an activity several times a week.

Garden, run, walk, swim, play ball games or racquet games – get moving!

Spring clean together; it’s more fun than alone

Get together with a few colleagues and create sports events and activities

Lunchtime walking / Nordic walking group

Company group for local run / relay marathon

Intercompany or interdepartmental sports challenges e.g. football, basketball, volleyball

Yoga or tai chi or gym lunchtime classes

Company swimming team

Eat well!

Cook fun and healthy meals for you, your family and friends!

Look into healthy recipes in magazines and books or on your local heart foundation web site.

Experiment with different fruits and vegetables – make it look and taste good so people ask for more!

Introduce grains and pulses into your diet and see how many different ways you can prepare them.

Quit smoking

Try quitting with a friend; it’s easier to do things together.

If you smoke again, try to quit again! The more times you try, the higher the likelihood of long-term success.

Healthy Living

Your heart needs care for life. A healthy heart is about enjoying a healthy lifestyle and making this part of your everyday life. It is also about taking positive steps to reduce risk factors.

The good news is that if you lead a healthy lifestyle, as outlined in the information in this section, you can reduce your risk of developing heart disease.

Select from the menu at right to learn more about how you can lead a healthy lifestyle.

The Heart Foundation’s top five tips for sticking with healthy living resolutions

• Small changes to your eating habits can make a big difference. Try switching to reduced fat milk instead of full fat milk, ditching the cakes or biscuits for morning tea and choosing a piece of fruit or opting for wholegrain bread instead of white.
• Look for ways to build physical activity into your day. Walk or ride a bike instead of driving. If you must drive, park further away and walk the extra distance rather than driving around for the perfect park, or take a break during the day and go for a 15 minute walk.
• Review the changes you’ve made and note how you are feeling. Changes should be long term so it’s important to be enjoying your life and feeling good about yourself.
• Reward yourself – when a change becomes a habit, buy yourself some new clothes, or visit a place you enjoy.
• Keep going with your changes – it’s normal to have days when it all becomes too hard, but don’t worry about it. Just keep going with your changes the next day.