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World Heart Day takes place on 29 September each year.

World Heart Day was created in 2000 to inform people around the globe that heart disease and stroke are the world’s leading cause of death, claiming 17.3 million lives each year, and the numbers are rising.

Risk factors for heart disease and stroke include raised blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels, smoking, inadequate intake of fruit and vegetables, overweight, obesity and physical inactivity.

In partnership with WHO, the World Heart Federation organizes awareness events in more than 100 countries - including health checks, organized walks, runs and fitness sessions, public talks, stage shows, scientific forums, exhibitions, concerts, carnivals and sports tournaments.

By 2030, it is expected that 23 million people will die from CVDs annually – that is more than the population of Australia.

The heart is the most important organ in human body. Without it, humans would die. It is an amazing organ. It beats on average 72 times per minute. This means the heart beats over 100,000 times a day, pumping 1,900 gallons (7,200 liters) of blood through human body each day. In a healthy body, the heart works continuously for 70 years or more. By the age of 70, heart beats about 2.5 billion times. Be kind to your heart and hopefully it will be kind to you.