Every September, South Africa observes Heart Awareness Month, a national campaign dedicated to raising awareness about heart disease and encouraging people to live healthier lives. The month concludes with World Heart Day on 29 September, a global reminder of the importance of heart health.

Why It Matters

Heart disease and stroke remain the leading causes of death and disability in South Africa and around the world. According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa (HSFSA), many of these conditions can be prevented by making healthier choices and addressing risk factors such as:

• Tobacco use

• Poor diet

• Physical inactivity

• Air pollution

Early detection and treatment also play a vital role in saving lives.

Fascinating Facts About the Heart

1. Your heart is about the size of your fist.

2. It beats around 100,000 times every day.

3. Each day it pumps more than 7,000 litres of blood.

4. The heart has its own electrical system (the cardiac conduction system) that controls its rhythm.

5. Laughter really is good for the heart – it lowers blood pressure and boosts your immune system.

HSFSA’s 2025 Campaign

This year, the HSFSA is running a month-long campaign under the World Heart Federation theme: “Don’t Miss a Beat”. Each week will focus on a key topic leading up to World Heart Day:

• Week 1: The burden of cardiovascular disease

• Week 2: Cardiothoracic interventions

• Week 3: The role of multidisciplinary teams in care before and after surgery

• Week 4: Cumulative risk factors for cardiovascular disease

Supporting Your Heart Health

Looking after your heart isn’t just about physical health—it’s about emotional well-being too. Small lifestyle changes can make a big difference:

• Eat a balanced, healthy diet

• Exercise regularly

• Avoid smoking, excessive drinking, and recreational drugs

• Manage high blood pressure, cholesterol, obesity, and stress

A Call to Action

This Heart Awareness Month, South Africans are encouraged to know their heart health status and take steps to protect it—for themselves and their loved ones. Together, we can reduce the number of lives lost to preventable heart disease and stroke.

Sources: Government of South Africa, KZN Department of Health, Alpine Cardiology, The Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa