By Joke Kujenya
MILLIONS OF families worldwide continue to lose loved ones prematurely to Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), even though most cases are preventable with timely care, healthier nutrition, and improved opportunities for physical activity, the World Heart Federation (WHF) has revealed.
As the world marks World Heart Day on September 29, 2025, stakeholders have also reiterated the urgency of confronting the leading cause of death across continents under the theme “Don’t Miss a Beat.”
According to the WHF, up to 80 percent of premature deaths linked to cardiovascular conditions such as heart disease and stroke can be avoided through affordable access to healthcare services, early screening, and lifestyle changes.
This year’s observance, which also marks the 25th anniversary of WHD, calls for united global action to protect heart health and reduce the impact of CVD.
It says one in five people across the world will die early from cardiovascular disease, a toll higher than cancer and chronic respiratory diseases combined.
Public health experts also note that the burden of CVD continues to grow, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to quality healthcare remains limited and risk factors such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, poor diets high in salt and fat, and physical inactivity remain widespread.
Every 29 September, governments, communities, schools, families, and organisations join efforts to raise awareness of CVD and encourage prevention.
This year’s campaign emphasises that millions of people are “missing a beat” with loved ones as early deaths rob families of valuable time together.
The World Health Organization (WHO)’s South-East Asia Region reports that every minute, eight people in the region die from cardiovascular conditions, half of them before the age of 70.
It adds that hypertension and diabetes remain the most significant risk factors. Yet, data shows that 85 per cent of those living with either condition do not have them under control, a gap attributed to inadequate access to treatment, weak health systems, and low awareness of risks.
Also according to reports, in 2023, countries across South-East Asia adopted the SEAHEARTS resolution, committing to accelerate prevention and control of cardiovascular disease in the region.
This resolution sets a target of placing 100 million people living with hypertension or diabetes on protocol-based management by 2025.
It also outlines coordinated action on tobacco control, salt reduction, and eliminating industrially produced trans-fatty acids from the food chain.
Two years after its adoption, governments in the region have reported progress. Public health facilities are now providing protocol-based management to more than 90 million people with hypertension and diabetes.
Furthermore, legislation has been passed to protect more than 1.7 billion people from harmful trans-fatty acids, while over 103 million individuals are covered by at least three of WHO’s MPOWER tobacco control measures, which include monitoring tobacco use, protecting people from second-hand smoke, and enforcing advertising bans.
Officials stress that these gains have been made possible through political will and coordinated action between governments, civil society, and international partners.
However, challenges remain. Weak enforcement of health policies, commercial interests promoting unhealthy commodities, insufficient fiscal measures, and poor public awareness continue to hinder progress.
Monitoring the marketing and packaging of unhealthy products also remains inadequate in several countries.
The WHO notes that many Member States in South-East Asia still lack adequate laboratory and enforcement capacity to reduce sodium in food products, test tobacco items for harmful emissions, and implement trans-fat bans effectively.
Limited funding for noncommunicable disease programmes, shortages of trained health professionals, and inadequate access to diagnostic tools and essential medicines also compromise the delivery of care.
Health authorities have also stressed that reversing the trend requires a whole-of-society approach.
They urged that governments must prioritise salt reduction policies, enforce stronger tobacco control laws, and ensure the removal of industrially produced trans-fats from national food supplies.
Experts further counsel that primary healthcare must remain at the centre of the response, with improved access to essential technologies, medicines, and protocol-based treatment.
They also emphasised that individuals have a crucial role to play in prevention.
Quitting tobacco, reducing salt intake, engaging in daily physical activity, managing stress, and seeking regular health check-ups are steps that can significantly lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, the experts advised.
Technology and innovation are being promoted as additional tools to track patients, monitor treatment adherence, and improve health outcomes.
Task-sharing among health workers, expanded training in cardiovascular disease management, and stronger referral systems are highlighted as critical measures to reduce mortality.
Across six continents every year, the World Heart Day 2025 is observed to stress the importance of sustained international cooperation as the organisers’ note that this year’s theme is simple “every action taken to protect heart health matters, and every beat saved represents more time for families, communities, and societies.”
