Every year on 29th September, the world comes together to observe World Heart Day, an initiative dedicated to raising awareness about cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and promoting preventive measures.

Significance Of World Heart Day

The heart is one of the most vital organs in the human body, and its malfunction can be fatal. Yet, despite medical advancements, CVDs remain the leading cause of death worldwide, responsible for around 17 million lives annually—about 31% of global mortality.

Heart attacks, strokes, and coronary heart disease account for nearly 85% of these deaths, making awareness and prevention critical. World Heart Day plays a pivotal role in educating people about risk factors, symptoms, and healthy habits, while uniting governments, health organizations, schools, and communities to take collective action.

Theme of World Heart Day 2025

Each year, World Heart Day is celebrated with a theme that reflects the urgent needs of global heart health. The 2025 theme, “Don’t Miss a Beat,” emphasizes the importance of vigilance and proactive care. It encourages individuals not to ignore warning signs, to maintain heart-healthy routines, schedule regular check-ups, and seek timely medical help.

Over the years, themes have inspired collective action: “Use Heart for Action” (2024), “Use Heart, Know Heart” (2023), and “Be a Heart Hero” (2019). In 2025, the message resonates with urgency, reminding us that up to 80% of premature heart disease and strokes are preventable through healthier choices and early intervention.

The Origin of World Heart Day

The idea of dedicating a day to global heart health was first proposed in 1999 by Professor Antoni Bayés de Luna, then president of the World Heart Federation, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO).

The first World Heart Day was observed on 24th September 2000, and until 2011, it was held on the last Sunday of September. In 2012, global leaders set a target to reduce premature deaths from non-communicable diseases by 25% by 2025. To strengthen this mission, 29th September was officially chosen as World Heart Day. Today, more than 90 countries participate in awareness events, health checks, and campaigns, making it a truly global movement.

Preventive Measures for a Healthy Heart

World Heart Day serves as a reminder that everyone has a role to play in protecting heart health. Some essential steps include:

• Maintaining a healthy BMI and managing blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
• Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while avoiding trans fats, excess sodium, and junk food.
• Staying physically active, at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity five days a week plus resistance training twice weekly.
• Avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol intake.
• Managing stress, sleeping well, and practicing mindfulness.
• Seeking regular check-ups to detect risk factors early.

Air pollution, a major but often overlooked factor, contributes to 25% of cardiovascular deaths globally. Combating it through sustainable practices can also help reduce risks.

A Global Call for Action

2025 marks the 25th anniversary of World Heart Day. Despite progress, one in five people still die early from CVDs, a toll higher than cancer or chronic respiratory diseases combined. But change is possible. From individuals adopting healthier habits to schools, workplaces, and governments driving systemic reforms, collective action can save millions of lives.

Walmart product recall items list: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a public health alert for a ready-to-eat pasta meal sold at Walmart due to possible listeria contamination, a potentially deadly bacteria. The alert, announced Thursday, affects customers nationwide. Officials are urging consumers to immediately check their freezers for the affected product.

Details of the Walmart Pasta Recall

This alert is linked to a previous listeria outbreak involving recalled chicken fettuccine Alfredo meals in June. According to Fox Business, testing was expanded to include other products, and one sample of the Marketside linguine meal tested positive for listeria. The USDA issued the alert to prevent further illness, as the contamination could potentially be more widespread.

Walmart Recall Listeria: What Is Listeria?

Listeria: Who Is Most At Risk?

While anyone can contract listeriosis, certain groups are more vulnerable. Pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems face the highest risk of severe illness. For pregnant women, infection can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or serious infection in newborns.

Listeria Symptoms To Watch For

Walmart Recall Listeria: How to Stay Safe

Consumers should check their freezers and pantries for affected products, like the Marketside linguine with beef meatballs, and discard or return them. Proper cooking and avoiding unpasteurized dairy or prepackaged ready-to-eat meals can reduce risk. Always follow food safety guidelines, including cleaning, separating, cooking, and chilling foods.

Walmart Recall Listeria: Recent Trends in Food Recalls

Food recalls over listeria have become increasingly common in recent years. Just this summer, Kraft Heinz pulled back more than 367,000 pounds of Oscar Mayer turkey bacon due to contamination concerns. Now, Walmart’s ready-to-eat pasta joins the list.

Although listeria outbreaks are rare, the USDA emphasizes that even a single positive test can be serious and potentially deadly. For consumers, the safest action is clear: check the product dates, and if the affected pasta is in your freezer, do not risk consuming it.

It has been over two years since Bruce Willis was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and his wife, Emma Heming Willis, revealed that the first symptom he showed, which eventually led to his diagnosis, left her stunned. Speaking on Katie Couric’s Next Question, Emma shared more about Bruce’s condition, explaining that in addition to FTD, he has primary progressive aphasia (PPA). “FTD can affect people in three different ways: language, movement, or behavior. These are like the subtypes of FTD. Bruce has primary progressive aphasia, which is known as PPA, so FTD and PPA,” she said. She also revealed the first symptom that made her suspect FTD.

First Symptom of Bruce Willis’ Frontotemporal Dementia

Reflecting on the first symptom that shocked her, Emma Heming Willis explained that it was Bruce’s speech that first signaled something was wrong. “For him, I started noticing his stutter returning. He had a severe stutter as a child, and it began to come back,” she said. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think this was a symptom of young-onset dementia.”

She added, “A doctor at UCFF, Bruce Miller, an incredible neurologist, explained that in your 40s, 50s, or 60s—when you’re established in your career and raising a family—any drastic personality changes can signal something happening in the brain that needs to be addressed.”

Sharing more about Bruce’s experience, Emma said, “For Bruce, the stutter returned and words didn’t come as naturally to him, which was wild because he’s all about words. It was confusing. I felt something was just off, it wasn’t the person I married.”

Emma has been caring for Bruce since his diagnosis in early 2023. During last month’s ABC special, Emma and Bruce Willis: The Unexpected Journey with Diane Sawyer, she revealed that she had moved Bruce into a separate single-story home with a full-time care team. “It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make so far,” the mother of two explained.

Other Symptoms Of Frontotemporal Dementia

Behavioral Changes (Behavioral Variant FTD)

• Personality and behavior shifts: Acting inappropriately, impulsivity, or showing reduced emotional warmth and empathy.
• Apathy and disinterest: Loss of interest in hobbies, activities, or people once valued.
• Compulsive behaviors: Repeating the same activities or words, developing obsessions, or compulsive eating, including eating from others’ plates.
• Poor judgment and decision-making: Difficulty planning, prioritizing tasks, or making sound decisions.

Language Problems (Primary Progressive Aphasia)

• Difficulty finding words: Trouble retrieving words or naming people and objects.
• Problems with speech production: Speaking more slowly, using simplified sentences, or slurring words.
• Trouble understanding language: Difficulty comprehending what others are saying.
• Difficulty with reading and writing: Challenges in reading comprehension and written expression.

Movement and Physical Symptoms

• Stiff or slow movements: Movements may resemble Parkinson’s disease, with slow or stiff walking.
• Shaky hands: Tremors in the hands may develop.
• Swallowing difficulties: Issues with chewing and swallowing can ociticur.
• Other muscle issues: Muscle weakness, loss, or difficulty controlling everyday movements.

Rabies is a deadly viral disease that targets the nervous system. Once symptoms set in, survival is extremely rare. The reassuring fact, however, is that rabies is entirely preventable when prompt and proper care is taken after exposure. To spread awareness about prevention and control, World Rabies Day was established in 2007 as a global initiative. Since then, it has been observed every year to educate people about the risks of rabies and the importance of timely action. Let us take a closer look at the significance of this day.

World Rabies Day 2025 Date: When is World Rabies Day Celebrated

World Rabies Day 2025 Theme

ALSO READ: Doctors Answer The Most Googled Rabies-Related Questions For You

The idea behind the theme is simple. You can play your part by vaccinating pets, learning about prevention methods, and understanding available treatments such as Pre- and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis. Me reflects the role of leadership—setting an example, training others, or supporting efforts to eliminate rabies. Community highlights the strength of collective action, from organizing vaccination drives to educating children and their families, and pushing for stronger health programs.

The appeal to “Act Now” carries life-or-death urgency. Rabies is a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) that disproportionately affects poorer regions, especially in Africa and Asia. Every nine minutes, someone dies from the virus—yet every one of these deaths can be prevented. Ending rabies is possible, but only if individuals, leaders, and communities act together.

World Rabies Day 2025 Significance

World Rabies Day 2025: Why Vaccination Matters?

Awareness about preventing dog bites and knowing how to respond if one occurs is essential. Rabies does not have to be fatal if all recommended post-exposure measures are followed promptly. To support community understanding, the World Health Organization has created a series of educational films that guide people on bite prevention, immediate care, and the importance of timely vaccination.