On September 29, 2024, the world united to celebrate World Heart Day, an annual event highlighting the crucial importance of cardiovascular health and raising awareness about preventing heart diseases.

Led by the World Heart Federation, this global initiative brings together over 200 national organizations across more than 100 countries. Together, they amplify the efforts of medical institutions and heart foundations worldwide in their fight against heart disease.

The 2024 campaign rallies behind an inspiring motto: “Use Heart for Action.” This year’s focus is on motivating nations to develop comprehensive cardiovascular health plans. These strategies are essential in addressing what current data shows to be the world’s leading cause of death. While the statistics on cardiovascular diseases are alarming, there’s reason for optimism: an estimated 80% of cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, is preventable.  This striking figure underscores the potential impact of widespread education and improved healthcare practices.

Since the late 1980s, the Menarini Group has recognized the importance of cardiovascular health, maintaining a steadfast commitment to the cardiovascular field and developing a diverse range of innovative pharmaceutical products, each with unique characteristics. This product line is complemented by an increasingly comprehensive and up-to-date scientific information and education service.

The ESC Congress 2024, which Menarini attended in London from August 30 to September 2, 2024, further emphasized the importance of personalized cardiovascular care. Under the theme “Personalising Cardiovascular Care,” the event gathered the world’s leading cardiology experts to explore tailored treatments that empower patients, improve outcomes, reduce risks, and redefine the standard of care. This congress highlighted the urgent need for innovation and collaboration in addressing cardiovascular diseases, making it a pivotal moment in the advancement of global cardiology.

Recent studies discussed at the ESC Congress and beyond have also brought attention to the impact of climate change on cardiovascular health. Changes in temperature and other meteorological shifts have been linked to increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. Notably, 62% of deaths attributable to climate change are due to CVD, with studies showing that temperature fluctuations—particularly extreme heat and cold—are associated with higher mortality rates. Moreover, air pollution, recognized as a global health crisis by the World Health Organization (WHO), causes 8.1 million deaths each year, with 3.5 million of these due to CVD. 

In addition to environmental factors, individual health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia are significant contributors to CVD.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, places extra strain on the heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Diabetes exacerbates this risk by causing damage to the arteries, reducing the space for blood to flow properly. Dyslipidemia, characterized by abnormal levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, further heightens the risk by promoting the formation of arterial plaques. Other risk factors contributing to CVD are obesity, smoking and physical inactivity.
Addressing these conditions through lifestyle changes, medication and regular monitoring is critical to reducing the global burden of CVD. 

Menarini continues to invest in research and development, not just discovering novel therapeutic approaches but also exploring ways to counteract the environmental risks contributing to cardiovascular diseases. This comprehensive strategy aims to enhance or restore patients’ quality of life, making significant strides towards a heart-healthy world.