World Heart Day 2025

The day aims to raise global awareness about cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), promote prevention strategies, and reduce premature deaths caused by heart-related conditions. The urgency is clear: CVDs remain the leading cause of death worldwide - over 20.5 million lives (WHF), making heart health a critical focus for individuals and communities alike.

History of World Heart Day - When and Why It Started

World Heart Day was created to raise awareness about cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and promote heart health worldwide, evolving into a global movement with a strong focus on prevention and education.

Timeline of Key Events

• 1999: Concept of World Heart Day established by Antoni Bayés de Luna, a renowned cardiologist.


• 2000: First celebration of World Heart Day, organised globally through collaboration between the World Heart Federation (WHF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).


• 2000–2010: Observed on the last Sunday of September each year, with a different annual theme promoting heart health awareness.


• 2011: Date fixed to 29 September every year to create consistency and strengthen global recognition.


• 2000–Present: Annual themes continued, helping shape worldwide awareness on CVD prevention, risk reduction, and heart-healthy lifestyles.

Theme of World Heart Day 2025 - Don’t Miss a Beat

The official theme for World Heart Day 2025 is “Don’t Miss a Beat”, emphasising the importance of not ignoring early warning signs of heart disease, ensuring continuous access to healthcare, and making heart health a daily priority.

Previous themes (2020–2024) included

• 2024: “Heart Health for All” – Focus on equitable access to cardiovascular care.


• 2023: “Use Heart, Not Smoke” – Highlighting the impact of smoking on heart health.


• 2022: “Love Your Heart” – Encouraging healthy lifestyle changes and awareness of risk factors.


• 2021: “Targeting Heart Health” – Promoting prevention strategies and early diagnosis.


• 2020: “Use Heart for Every Heart” – Focus on community action and heart health promotion.

Compared to these, the 2025 theme builds urgency, motivating individuals and communities to recognise early signs, take immediate action, and prioritise heart health consistently, combining personal responsibility with collective efforts to reduce cardiovascular disease burden worldwide.

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Global Heart Health Data 2025

• From recent WHF data: the number of deaths from CVD increased from 12.1 million in 1990 to 20.5 million in 2021.


• Of those CVD deaths, 85% were due to heart attacks and strokes.


• WHF reports that up to 80% of premature heart attacks and strokes are preventable with proper measures.


• More than three-quarters of CVD deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).


• Nearly 25% of heart patients in India are under 40 years old.


• Heart disease strikes Indians nearly 10 years earlier than Western populations.


• 1 in 4 deaths in India is due to cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular Disease Burden - Risk Factors & Regional Impact

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are driven by both lifestyle-related behaviours and non-modifiable factors. While many cases are preventable, the global burden continues to rise, especially in low- and middle-income regions.

Leading Risk Factors

Modifiable

Tobacco use, high-salt diet, physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol, and air pollution (linked to about 25% of CVD deaths).

Non-modifiable

Advancing age, genetic predisposition, and family history of heart disease.

Regional Example – WHO South-East Asia Region

• Around 3.9 million annual deaths are caused by CVDs


• Accounts for nearly 30% of all deaths in the region


• The burden is strongly linked to lifestyle changes, urbanisation, and unequal access to preventive and curative healthcare.

Treatment Gaps

Despite the high burden, access to care remains inadequate. Only about 15% of people with hypertension or diabetes receive effective treatment. This gap in screening, diagnosis, and long-term management highlights the urgent need for stronger health systems, preventive strategies, and equitable access to cardiovascular care.

Preventing cardiovascular diseases starts with everyday choices. Research shows that up to 80% of heart disease cases can be prevented through simple lifestyle changes. By focusing on healthy habits and regular monitoring, individuals can significantly lower their risk of heart-related complications. Tips for maintaining a healthy heart are:

Maintain a healthy BMI

Keep your body mass index within the WHO-recommended range of 18.5–24.9 to reduce the risk of obesity-related heart complications.

Monitor key health indicators

Regularly track blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose levels to detect early warning signs of cardiovascular issues.

Limit salt and processed food

Reducing sodium and avoiding processed meals helps control blood pressure and lowers the likelihood of hypertension.

Avoid smoking and excess alcohol

Smoking damages blood vessels while heavy alcohol use strains the heart, both significantly increasing cardiovascular risk.

Manage stress and sleep properly

Consistent rest and healthy stress management techniques protect heart rhythm and overall cardiovascular health.

Exercise regularly

Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity per week, as recommended by WHO, to keep your heart strong.

How the World Celebrates World Heart Day 2025

Every year, World Heart Day is celebrated by diverse global activities aimed at spreading awareness about cardiovascular health. The 2025 observance will be no different, with communities, schools, workplaces, and health organisations coming together to promote healthier lifestyles and heart care.

Typical Activities

• Walkathons and marathons are held in cities worldwide to encourage physical activity.


• Free heart health screenings help people detect early risks such as high blood pressure or cholesterol.


• Educational webinars and workshops provide expert advice on the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease.


• Poster campaigns, awareness drives, and exhibitions spread key messages in public spaces.


• Concerts, charity events, and fundraisers support ongoing heart research and community health programmes.

Global Participation

Events are organised in more than 90 countries annually, engaging a wide network of NGOs, healthcare institutions, schools, and workplaces. This collective effort ensures that awareness reaches people of all ages and backgrounds.

Digital Campaigns

Online platforms amplify the impact with interactive posts, virtual challenges, and video messages from healthcare leaders. Suggested hashtags such as #WorldHeartDay2025 and #DontMissABeat will unite global voices and spread the theme across social media.

Global and Regional Heart Health Initiatives

The World Heart Federation (WHF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) play a joint leadership role in driving global action against cardiovascular diseases. Their efforts aim to reduce premature deaths, strengthen prevention strategies, and improve access to care worldwide.

A regional programme focused on accelerating cardiovascular disease prevention and control in South-East Asia, where the burden of CVDs is among the highest.

Global Policy Achievements

• 1.97 billion people worldwide are now protected from harmful industrial trans fats through national food policies.


• 124 million people are covered by comprehensive tobacco control laws that limit advertising, packaging, and use.


• 59 million people currently benefit from improved hypertension and diabetes care, addressing two major CVD risk factors.

National-Level Actions

Many countries have reinforced these global initiatives with national policies such as:

• Complete or partial bans on tobacco advertising, public smoking restrictions, and higher taxation on tobacco products.


• Elimination of industrial trans fats from food supply chains.


• Public campaigns and reformulations targeting reduced salt consumption to combat hypertension.

Latest Advances in Cardiovascular Research & Care 2025

Breakthroughs in CVD Research and Care ensure controlling the high numbers of deaths caused by CVDs each year. These breakthroughs not only help in controlling the figures, but also help those affected have an easier and comfortable life ahead. Here are the latest breakthroughs:

Baxdrostat for Resistant / Uncontrolled Hypertension

The Phase III BaxHTN trial (presented at ESC Congress 2025) tested baxdrostat (1 mg or 2 mg daily) in patients whose blood pressure remained high despite being on multiple medications. It produced statistically significant drops in systolic blood pressure (≈9.8 mmHg vs placebo at 2mg dose) with good tolerability.

AI-Based Diagnostic Tools

New studies are showing how AI/ML models can help with early detection and risk stratification of cardiovascular conditions. For instance, an AI tool from Yale can predict the risk of future heart failure using routine ECG images. Also, an ML-based study refined feature-selection techniques for classification of CVD risk with high accuracy (Random Forest, XGBoost models) and emphasis on fairness, interpretability, and bias mitigation.

Weight-Loss Drugs & CVD Risk Reduction

The WHO’s World Heart Report 2025 highlights weight loss interventions and studies showing that obesity diagnosis and management are critical. Some trials (e.g. using semaglutide) show reductions in cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke) when weight is reduced.

Every Beat Counts

As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of World Cardiac Day in 2025, addressing the relevant CVD issue and canvassing for spreading awareness for the same has become essential more than ever. The fight against the major reasons behind the deaths of millions every year can only be won if we tackle it together – with awareness and knowledge. Leading a healthy lifestyle is the key towards having a healthy heart. So, this International Heart Day, take a step towards a healthy heart and get secured with health insurance to relieve the financial burden on your shoulders!

Also Read:

• Tips for Healthy Heart & Controlling Cardiovascular Diseases

• Cardiovascular Exercise

• What is The Reason for Heart Attack at a Young Age?

FAQs on World Heart Day 2025