About World Heart Day 

Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of worldwide deaths amongst  non-communicable health disorders.¹ Cerebrovascular conditions such as stroke and other heart diseases claim upto 18.6 million lives every year.²  WHO believes that majority of the CVDs are preventable if we keep a check on behavioral factors like smoking, sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet, and harmful consumption of alcohol.3 It is also very unfortunate that out of all the fatalities due to CVD in India, 1/4th occur to those less than 40 years of age.³

An initiative of the World Heart Federation, the World Heart day is celebrated every year on 29th September to spread awareness about Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs), their causes, and management. People from all walks of life who are dedicated to the cause are recognized by the establishment as ‘Heart Heroes’.

As the current pandemic has led us to limit physical contact and find alternative ways to connect with one another, the theme of the World Heart Day 2021 is “Harnessing the power of digital health to improve awareness, prevention, and management of CVD”.⁴

Organizations, groups of people, and individuals proactively participate in the campaigning of World Heart Day. The success of the event is ensured by sensitizing people about CVDs so that they commit as well as empathize with the cause.

Managing Heart Health 

The methods of heart health management and treatment vary at large. As already mentioned above, one of them is to control the behavioral risks. Other factors include lifestyle changes, medicines, healthy diet, surgery, etc.

Since the heart is a muscle, the more you exercise, the stronger your heart will become. Smoking also falls under the preventable category of CVDs. In furtherance to this, it is necessary to watch one’s weight. There is a direct correlation between hypertension and gain in the abdominal adipose tissue. Waist sizes more than 102 cm and 88 cm in men and women respectively can increase the chances of developing high BP issues. ⁵

Aerobic exercises such as swimming or walking are also encouraged for hypertensive patients as it can regulate blood pressure levels in them. ⁶

The Significance Of Consistent Heart Health Monitoring 

Among the risk factors leading to mortality in the cases of CVDs, hypertension is the most prevalent. As much as 54% of stroke cases often occur to those suffering from high blood pressure. ⁷

High BP is also recognized as the ‘Silent Killer’ and rightfully so. Blood Pressure often shows none to very little symptoms making the onset of the disease extremely difficult to diagnose. And, if left undiagnosed for long durations it can lead to comorbidities in patients such as brain and heart stroke, chronic kidney diseases, liver failure, etc.

Hence, it is not just important but also pragmatic to keep a consistent tab on your heart health. Consistent monitoring of heart health will not only help you in detecting CVDs early but also in managing them. Conventionally, patients visit medical experts to get their Blood Pressure monitored. However, the prevalent situation has not only created healthcare chaos but also left most of us vulnerable to the COVID – 19 virus thus forcing us to stay indoors. Teleconsultation has emerged as a huge boon and kept the ship of healthcare in India, afloat. ⁸

Home BP Monitoring – An Innovation We Deserved

Home Blood Pressure Monitors are devices with which we can measure BP readings in the comfort of our homes. In fact, a Harvard study shows that BP levels can be regulated if one consistently monitors them on the home BP monitoring device. ⁹

Thanks to technology, several non bluetooth connecting home BP monitoring devices of Omron can be connected to smartphones with Omron connect App which comes equipped with the OCR feature that enables users to share their BP readings with their physicians or family members through smart devices. This connectivity provided by Omron Connect facilitate e-consultation saving you time, health risks, travel to clinic, etc.

Furthermore, home BP monitoring helps in deciding the right course of medication and manage it confidently as well.

Conclusion:

World Heart Day is around the corner. Let us pledge to sensitize our loved ones, family members, colleagues, friends, and others about the importance of not just consistent heart health monitoring but, overall wellness. After, a healthy body is a holy abode for a healthy heart and mind.