On World Heart Day, which is celebrated each year on 29 September, HRH Crown Princess Katherine is appealing to the people to take special care of their health focusing on their hearts and the entire cardiovascular system and she expresses her concerns regarding the high number of people who suffer from cardiac diseases in Serbia.
“Heart is one of the most commonly used symbols of love. But in order for that love to be strong and shared with our friends, families, and all the people who mean the world to us, the heart needs to be healthy and strong. With its every beat, it is leading us through the wonderful journey we call life.
That is why I am deeply saddened every time I see the statistics on how many people die in our country and the entire world every day from cardiovascular diseases. Especially knowing that these numbers can be significantly reduced by making better and healthier life choices. We have great doctors, and it is of great importance not only to listen but also to embrace their advice and live by them. Changing life habits that are endangering our cardiac health, including stopping smoking, controlling high blood pressure, sugar, and lipids, and improving our daily physical activities, are essential to preserving and improving the health of our cardiovascular system.
We all need to make an effort, to do something for ourselves, for our family and friends. For all of us to be able to feel the love from our dear ones and to spread it further, we need to live longer by taking care of our hearts. Defeating cardiovascular disease is something that matters to every beating heart”, emphasized HRH Crown Princess Katherine.
Experts are constantly saying that healthy habits, early diagnosis, and adequate treatment are key to maintaining a strong heart. The statistical data show that more than 50,000 people die annually from cardiovascular diseases in Serbia, with a dominant part of more than 45 percent of all causes of death. Also, according to the European Society of Cardiology guidelines for prevention, Serbia is still among the European countries with high risk of dying because of cardiovascular diseases.
HRH Crown Princess Katherine’s Foundation realized many important donations for hospitals in Serbia to support the work of their cardiovascular departments, and it will continue in the future. For many years it has also been supporting young doctors in cardiovascular education in the world’s best hospitals. In addition, education in this field of medicine was also an important part of the Serbian Diaspora Medical Conferences, which was organized annually for the last 12 years. Developing inter-expert cooperation and exchange of knowledge and experience, between Serbian doctors and doctors and medical experts abroad and foreign institutions, that represent a high level of medical science, is a pillar of a quality health system in Serbia.
World Heart Day is observed and celebrated annually on September 29, with the aim of increasing awareness of cardiovascular diseases and how to control them to negate their global impact. The international holiday was established by the World Heart Federation in collaboration with the World Health Organization. This year’s slogan for the marking of this Day is “Use heart for every heart”.
Photo caption – HRH Crown Princess Katherine with Prof. Dr. Ida Jovanovic, member of Royal Medical Board, and Prof. Dr. Zoran Radojicic, previous director of Children Clinic Tirsova