Don't miss a beat — take action for heart health

Every year on September 29, the health and medical community around the world joins together for “World Heart Day” to raise awareness about cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), calling for prevention, early detection and proper treatment. In 2025, with the theme “Don't Miss a Beat”, the campaign calls on everyone and every country to pay attention to their hearts — because cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of premature death globally.

Cardiovascular disease (including myocardial infarction, stroke, chronic myocardial ischemia, heart failure, hypertension and many valvular and vascular diseases) is always among the top causes of death. According to statistics from the World Heart Federation, each year CKD takes more than 20.5 million lives - more than cancer and chronic respiratory diseases combined.

It is worth noting that about 80% of cardiovascular disease and early stroke cases are completely preventable if we apply healthy lifestyle changes, control risk factors and access timely medical care.

The theme for this year's World Heart Day — “Don't Miss a Beat” — is profound: every heartbeat is a heartbeat of life, and we must not ignore or disregard the warning signs. In response to this message, the World Heart Federation has launched a series of activities on a global scale.

In addition, the Federation launched a petition campaign to call on countries and governments to commit to expanding access to cardiovascular care and strengthening programs to prevent and manage heart disease.

In particular, 2025 also marks the 25th anniversary of World Heart Day, an important milestone to look back on the past journey and strengthen the determination to join hands for the cardiovascular health of all humanity.

In Vietnam, the burden of cardiovascular disease is increasing, putting great pressure on the health system. The causes come from many factors: a rapidly aging population, an unhealthy diet, a sedentary lifestyle, prolonged stress, and the increase in obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. Studies show that the rates of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity are increasing, especially in urban areas. Late detection or ineffective treatment also increases the burden of hospitalization, medical costs, and mortality.

More worryingly, many people do not have the habit of regular cardiovascular screening and do not correctly identify warning signs such as chest pain, shortness of breath during exertion, prolonged palpitations or unusual fatigue. Therefore, communication campaigns such as World Heart Day are an important opportunity to raise awareness of proactively "taking care of the heart" from a healthy age.

The World Heart Federation has made 10 important recommendations to raise awareness and care for cardiovascular health:

First of all, each person needs to build a reasonable diet, increase green vegetables, fruits, limit saturated fat and eat a low-salt diet to protect the cardiovascular system. In addition, regular exercise from 30 to 60 minutes a day will help prevent heart disease and improve overall health.

Another habit that needs to be completely eliminated is not smoking cigarettes or tobacco, because this is a direct cause of myocardial infarction, stroke and many other diseases. At the same time, maintaining a reasonable weight will significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. Each person also needs to have regular health check-ups , monitor blood pressure, blood fat, blood sugar, waist/hip circumference and body mass index (BMI). If many risk factors are detected, it is necessary to be more proactive in building a healthy lifestyle.

In addition, the Federation recommends limiting the use of alcohol and beer because these drinks increase blood pressure and weight; keeping a clean, smoke-free environment at home as well as at work; at the same time focusing on relaxation, reasonable rest , and light exercise right at the office to reduce stress. At work, it is necessary to limit fast food and processed foods , instead choosing balanced and healthy meals. In particular, each person should avoid excessive stress and anxiety , together building a united, healthy and effective living and working environment.

With the message “Stabilize blood pressure to protect the heart” , the Ministry of Health wishes to raise public awareness of the importance of a reasonable diet, work, living, rest and exercise. When blood pressure is well controlled, the heart will be healthy, thereby helping each person maintain a peaceful, disease-free life.

Source: https://soyte.camau.gov.vn/bai-khoa-hoc-chinh-tri-va-xa-hoi/dung-bo-lo-nhip-nao-cung-hanh-dong-vi-suc-khoe-tim-mach-288824