September 30 is World Heart Day: Team Up for Healthy Hearts

Heart disease and stroke are the world’s greatest killers, claiming 17.5 million lives a year which represents nearly one third of all deaths in the world.

Since 1999, the World Heart Federation (WHF) and its 189 cardiology societies and heart foundations in more than 100 countries have celebrated World Heart Day. Celebrated annually, on the last Sunday of September, this event and activities leading up to the day, increase public awareness and promote preventive measures to reduce cardiovascular disease and stroke on a global scale. Activities on World Heart Day include health checks, walks, runs, jump rope, fitness sessions, public talks, stage shows, scientific forums, exhibitions, concerts, and sports tournaments.

You can "team up for healthy hearts." Join people around the world in adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle to help maintain a young heart for life. To help prevent heart attacks and strokes, control the major cardiovascular risk factors, choose a healthy diet, be physically active, and avoid smoking.

To learn more about World Heart Day, visit http://www.worldheartday.org*

Send a World Heart Day Health-e-Card

For more information about CDC’s programs related to heart disease and stroke prevention, please visit:

• Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention

• Healthy Schools Healthy Youth

• Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity

• Smoking and Tobacco Use

*Links to non-federal organizations are provided solely as a service to our users. These links do not constitute an endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the federal government, and none should be inferred. CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages found at these links.