World Heart Day - Pilani Rajasthan Shridhar University

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

Cardiovascular diseases are indeed the world's largest killers, claiming 17.3 million lives a year. The World Heart Day is observed to make people realize the risk of heart diseases and enlighten that such death could be avoided by adopting simple and easy ways. World Heart Day is usually observed on the last Sunday of September every year, but as of this year, World Heart Day 2011 is being celebrated on September 29 which also marks its eleventh anniversary.

No one has doubt that in this world home is where the heart is. If the health of the heart is kept optimum, then it is the home which is happy and if that happens in many homes across many generations and countries, the world at large is healthy. Hence, the theme chosen for this year is "One World One Home One Heart".

It is known that Cardio Vascular Diseases - CVD causes 29% of all deaths world over every year thus making it the number one killer. Among the developing countries, India today is fast becoming infamous by top ranking for life style diseases such as heart - related ailments and diabetes to the extent of getting dubious titles such as heart attack / diabetes capital of the world. It may not be an exaggeration if it is said that diabetes indeed doubles the risk of heart diseases.

The World Heart Day is organized by World Heart Federation - WHF, a non-governmental organization with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, endorsed by World Health Organization and other organizations.

The students of Way To Transform Shridhar University Pilani located in the heart of the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan were informed of the significance of the World Heart Day and were advised to eat a healthy diet as well as maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly or at least take a brisk walk for about 30 minutes a day.