By Sandra Machima in Nairobi, Kenya
THE significant number of deaths from heart disease, along with the lack of plans to address the disease, underscores the urgent need for all countries to create specific strategies to combat cardiovascular disease, according to World Heart Federation Chief Executive Officer Jean-Luc Eiselé.
He stated that a National Cardiovascular Action Plan serves as a strategic tool to reduce premature deaths from heart disease and stroke, while also decreasing healthcare costs and losses due to decreased productivity, ultimately saving hundreds of billions of dollars annually worldwide.
Mr. Eiselé emphasized that improving cardiovascular health requires tailored strategies at the national, regional, and local levels.
“On this World Heart Day, we urge people around the world to sign our petition and send a powerful message to all political leaders that an action plan is essential to enhance heart health and prevent premature deaths from CVD,” he said.
WHF has been at the forefront of the World Heart Day movement, celebrated every year on 29 September, to raise awareness about CVD, and advocate for improved healthcare policies and increased funding for heart health research.
This World Heart Day, WHF aims to gather over a million signatures to send a strong message and urge elected leaders to make a bold political declaration at the United Nations High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases in 2025.”
Cardiovascular disease has claimed more lives than all forms of cancer and chronic lower respiratory disease combined, yet efforts to address CVD at a national level are insufficient in almost every part of the world.
Up to 80 percent of these deaths from heart attacks and strokes could have been prevented. Initial findings by WHF revealed that as few as 7 percent of countries have standalone plans or strategies to combat CVD.
In observance of this year’s World Heart Day, WHF hopes that the launch of the petition will inspire a more robust and coordinated response to cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is responsible for over 20.5 million deaths annually.
