At Eko, our mission is to provide healthcare professionals with the tools they need to detect early signs of heart disease, enabling timely interventions that can save lives. While our innovative digital stethoscopes and AI-powered diagnostic tools play a vital role in improving heart health, World Heart Day serves as an important reminder of the power of prevention.
The global burden of cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death, claiming nearly 18 million lives annually.1 The risk factors associated with heart disease — high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle — are prevalent across all demographics. But many heart conditions can be prevented by adopting healthier lifestyles and engaging in early detection efforts.
Why World Heart Day matters
World Heart Day is about more than just raising awareness — it’s about inspiring real, actionable change in how people approach heart health. According to the World Heart Federation, and estimated 80% of premature deaths caused by heart disease and strokes could be prevented through lifestyle changes and addressing key risk factors.
How to take action:
- Know your heart: Education is critical when it comes to preventing heart disease. Knowing your own risk factors, understanding the symptoms of heart disease, and seeking regular check-ups are essential components of heart health.
- Make small changes: Small lifestyle changes can make a significant difference in heart health. Incorporating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, reducing salt intake, and avoiding processed foods can lower the risk of developing CVD. Regular physical activity is also crucial, with at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise recommended most days.
- Say no to tobacco: One of the most preventable risk factors for cardiovascular disease is smoking, so quitting smoking (or ideally never starting to smoke) is an effective way to reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Advocate for heart-healthy communities: World Heart Day emphasizes the role of governments and communities in fostering environments that encourage heart health. This includes policies promoting access to healthy food, smoke-free areas, and spaces for physical activity. By creating healthier environments, communities can help reduce the burden of CVD and ensure that heart health is accessible to all.
Eko's commitment to heart health
By equipping clinicians with advanced technologies, such as the CORE 500™ Digital Stethoscope and SENSORA™ platform, Eko is helping to close the gap in early detection and diagnosis of heart conditions like atrial fibrillation and low ejection fraction.
The role of prevention and early detection
While technological advancements are crucial in managing heart disease, prevention remains key. Heart disease is often called a "silent killer" because many individuals may not experience symptoms until it’s too late. This is why routine check-ups and early detection tools are so vital. Healthcare providers are urged to use World Heart Day as a platform to educate their patients about the importance of regular screenings and lifestyle changes that can significantly reduce their risk of cardiovascular events.
How you can participate
World Heart Day is a collective effort that requires participation from individuals, communities, and organizations. Whether it’s through organizing heart health events, sharing educational resources on social media, or simply taking the time to reflect on your own health, everyone has a role to play in the fight against cardiovascular disease.
A heart-healthy future
As we celebrate World Heart Day, let’s remember that the future of heart health lies in both prevention and early detection. Eko is proud to be a part of this movement, supporting clinicians and patients with tools that improve heart care and enable earlier, more accurate diagnoses. Together, we can help create a heart-healthy world for generations to come.
References
1. “Cardiovascular Diseases.” World Health Organization, 11 June 2019.
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