World Heart Day: Importance of balanced lifestyle for reducing heart disease risk in young professionals

World Heart Day is celebrated annually to spread awareness about the importance of keeping the heart fit as it's one of the most important organs that deliver oxygen and nutrients to cells and also removes waste products.

Any sign of heart trouble should be taken seriously as it is linked to one's longevity and survival.

In wake of the current COVID pandemic, as people manoeuvre through this paradigm shift involving the new normal, it's vital that people stay calm collectively and make a conscious effort to balance work and life.

Hence, it's important to eat right and come to terms with your health, lifestyle and take care of your heart.

As the world struggles to fight COVID-19, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the world's number one killer, and an estimated 17.9 million people died from CVDs in 2016, representing 31 per cent of all global deaths.

Of these deaths, 85 per cent were due to heart attack and stroke.

In 2016, India reported 63 per cent of total deaths due to NCDs, of which 27 per cent were attributed to CVDs.

CVDs also account for 45 per cent of deaths in the 40-69-year age group.

For people living with heart disease, COVID-19 has presented multiple challenges.

Many have been afraid to attend routine and doctor consultations and have become isolated from friends and family.

This year on World Heart Day, the emphasis is, 'USE HEART TO CONNECT - Harnessing the power of digital health to improve awareness, prevention, and management of CVDs'.