Cardiovascular diseases still kill more people in Europe and North America than any other disease. The grim statistics from developing countries paint a similar bleak picture. Last year, cardiovascular diseases contributed to a third of all global deaths. By 2010, heart disease is expected to be the number one cause of death in developing countries. It should not be so. For the most part, it is preventable and controllable.

"More and more people now realize that they can take responsibility for their health", says Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, WHO Director-General "Regular physical activity over the years, be it mountain hiking or cross-country skiing – these are very close to my heart – or walking, swimming or cycling, helps to keep one's heart in good condition. Walking is the easiest and most convenient form of exercise for most people."

On Sunday, 24 September 2000, the global community will be observing the first ever World Heart Day organized by the World Heart Federation and co-sponsored by the World Health Organization and UNESCO.

"There is hardly a shortage of World Days, but this one is long overdue", comments Dr Porfirio Nordet, a WHO cardiovascular specialist. "We are sending a simple message to people in both developed and developing countries alike, 'Have a heart, look after your heart' ".

Fittingly, the curtain-raiser event to the World Heart Day was held today at the Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia featuring Her Majesty Queen Sophia of Spain and Juan Antonio Samaranch, President of the International Olympic Committee. In his message, Sir William Deane, Governor-General of Australia, pointed out that "while it is true that among Australians as a whole, the mortality figures from cardiovascular disease have been declining, it still remains our biggest killer – accounting for 40% of all Australian deaths. It is also true that there is still much room for improvement among particular groups in our community, especially the socioeconomically disadvantaged, those people living in rural and remote areas, and in indigenous communities".

At WHO headquarters in Geneva, a World Health Run was organized bringing 150 participants from WHO and other Geneva-based UN organizations. The event included a five kilometre run and a three kilometre walk.

World Heart Day is a global event. At least 92 countries around the world will be observing World Heart Day on 24 September.

About 8 000 people, including disabled and transplant patients will participate in an eight kilometre walk in the centre of Buenos Aires in Argentina. A massive four-hour aerobics marathon under the guidance of instructors from all fitness gyms will be held in Barbados. "Paths of Health" will be set up in the woods and fields for people of all ages to walk, jog and cycle under supervision of health professionals in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In Brazil, the President of the Republic will address the nation on 24 September on the topic of the world's first World Heart Day. Walks and other health-related activities will be organized in all major cities in the country.

In Indonesia, a three-month campaign will culminate in a "Big Walk" involving 25 000 people. These walks will be conducted simultaneously in several large cities. In Malaysia, Jump Rope for Health training workshops as well as "Take Your Heart for a Walk" events will be staged in 14 states. The Sri Lanka Heart Association will have its first academic session on 24 September. A walk and a screening camp for cardiovascular disease will be organized with participation of voluntary organizations.

The Swiss Heart Foundation will focus on walking. Together with "Allez hop", a daughter organization of the Swiss Olympic Society, the Foundation will organize hourly walks from seven different locations in Switzerland. Local events involving hospitals and clinics are scheduled in Basel, Bern, Geneva and Zurich.

Cardiovascular diseases include hypertension (high blood pressure), coronary heart disease (heart attack), cerebrovascular disease (stroke), and heart failure, among others.

Major preventive, risk-reducing factors include all forms of physical exercise, healthy diet, not smoking tobacco products, maintaining a reasonable body weight, avoiding stress and following treatment for high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol.

For further information, please contact Mr Valery Abramov, Office of the Spokesperson, WHO, Geneva. Telephone (+41 22) 791 25 43. Fax (+41 22) 791 4858. Email : abramovv@who.int. 

All WHO Press Releases, Fact Sheets and Features can be obtained on Internet on the WHO home page http://www.who.int