World Heart Day

September 29

Cardiovascular disease

Deaths today

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Deaths this year

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Key fact

Cardiovascular disease kills more people than any other cause — 18.6 million per year. 80% of premature heart disease and stroke is preventable through lifestyle changes.

Deaths / year

18,600,000

Deaths / day

50,959

Deaths / hour

2,123

Deaths / second

0.59

About this day

World Heart Day is observed on September 29 to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease (CVD), the world's number one killer. Created by the World Heart Federation, this day highlights the actions individuals can take to prevent and control CVD, which claims 18.6 million lives every year — more than cancer, respiratory disease, and diabetes combined.

What you can do

Get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked regularly
Exercise for at least 150 minutes per week
Eat a heart-healthy diet low in salt, sugar, and saturated fat
Quit smoking — the risk of heart disease drops significantly within a year
Know the signs of a heart attack and stroke and call emergency services immediately

Related data

Explore detailed statistics, live counters, and risk factors for the cause behind this awareness day.

Cardiovascular disease

Disclaimer: Statistics are based on the latest available WHO and UN data. Actual figures may vary by year and source. This page is intended for awareness and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.