Don’t Miss a Beat
Every year on September 29, the world comes together to observe World Heart Day, a global campaign dedicated to raising awareness about cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). As the leading cause of death worldwide, CVDs affect millions of lives, but the message of World Heart Day is one of hope and action. In 2025, as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of this vital observance, the call to action is more urgent than ever: “Don’t Miss a Beat.”
The journey of World Heart Day began in 1999, conceived by Antoni Bayés de Luna, the then-president of the World Heart Federation (WHF), in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO). The first official celebration took place on September 24, 2000. Initially, the day was held on the last Sunday of September, but since 2011, it has been fixed on September 29 to ensure consistent global visibility and participation. Over the past 25 years, World Heart Day has evolved into a powerful platform, uniting governments, healthcare organizations, and communities in over 100 countries. It serves as a reminder that C V health is a shared responsibility and that many of the risk factors—such as tobacco use, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity—are modifiable.
Indian Scene: CVD is the leading cause of death in India, responsible for nearly 31% of all fatalities. This is significantly higher than the global average. A particularly alarming trend is the earlier onset of heart disease often striking people a decade earlier than in Western populations. India has a high prevalence of diabetes and hypertension, which are major, interconnected risk factors for CVD. This coupled with a unique lipid profile with lower high levels of Lipoprotein (a), low levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL) and higher triglycerides, increasing their risk even with normal overall cholesterol. Smoking and alcohol continue to be an important contributor. In the recent years environmental factors like air pollution, particularly exposure to PM 2.5 particulate matter, is increasingly recognized as a major risk factor. The pandemic of COVID 19 and its aftermath in millions of affections of CV health are still continuing.
The theme for World Heart Day 2025, “Don’t Miss a Beat,” is a powerful and poignant message. It serves as a timely reminder that every heartbeat matters and that neglecting heart health can lead to devastating consequences, including premature death. This slogan is not just a catchy phrase; it’s a call to action on multiple levels: It urges people not to overlook warning signs, to schedule regular check-ups, and to be vigilant about their well-being. It also emphasizes that consistent, small, healthy habits can have a lasting impact on heart heath and encourages collective action, from organizing local events like walkathons and health screenings to promoting heart-healthy environments in schools and workplaces. It demands that healthcare leaders and governments prioritize cardiovascular health by implementing national action plans, improving access to care, and addressing the social and economic factors that contribute to heart disease.
How to Execute the Campaign: A Call to Action
The success of “Don’t Miss a Beat” depends on a multi-faceted approach, engaging people from all walks of life. Here are some ways to execute the World Heart Day 2025 campaign by raising awareness through digital platforms. Utilize hashtags on social media. like #WorldHeartDay and #DontMissABeat to share compelling facts, infographics, and personal stories. Encourage people to post videos of their own heart-healthy activities, such as a quick workout or a heart-healthy meal. The World Heart Federation’s global petition to prioritize heart health can be promoted, giving individuals a concrete way to advocate for change at a policy level. At the level of the community by organizing community and local Events like walkathons and fun runs: These events not only promote physical activity but also serve as visible symbols of community commitment to heart health.
An important part can be by organizing health screenings programs by partnering with local clinics or hospitals to offer free or low-cost check-ups for blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose and organizing educational workshops: and seminars with cardiologists, nutritionists, and fitness experts to provide practical tips on diet, exercise, and stress management. Launch a workplace-wide fitness challenge or a “steps” competition to encourage movement and friendly competition. Good things should start early in life by engaging schools and workplaces by encouraging students and employees to wear red to show solidarity and raise awareness. Promote heart-healthy food options in cafeterias and provide recipes for nutritious meals.
World Heart Day 2025 is more than just a single day of observance; it’s a movement to inspire lasting change. By embracing the motto “Don’t Miss a Beat,” we can empower individuals, strengthen communities, and collectively work towards a world where everyone has the opportunity to live a longer, healthier, and heart-strong life.
Author is Founder Director Gauri Kaul Foundation
