World Heart Day 2022 – Sleep Right for Every Heart

Did you know that the heart is the only body part you can hear and feel?

About the Heart

It is the first and last sign of life. It works round-the-clock and does not sleep throughout one’s lifetime even when one is asleep. The heart plays a vital life-giving and life-sustaining role in all humans.

Unexplainably, its settings and regeneration are extraordinary and uniquely pre-set from the inception of life. The knowledge and understanding of how the heart functions without sleeping have grown increasingly and have guided the activities of individuals and communities towards heart health.

The heart is a muscular body part in our bodies and that of most animals. It continuously pumps blood through blood pipes to the entire parts of the body including the heart itself. The pumped blood carries oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body for their chemical reactions, functions and survival. While also carrying the biological and chemical wastes away from the body parts for removal through waste disposal parts such as lungs, kidneys, skin, liver and intestines.

The heart pumps the blood by a continuous alternation of repetitive contractions and relaxations of its muscle bundles. There is a group of specialized elements of the heart muscles called ‘pacemaker cells’. These Pacemaker cells generate electric current signals which create and sustain the musical muscle contractions. A cycle of muscle contraction and relaxation of heart muscles makes one heartbeat. The heart beats at a resting rate of 60 – 100 beats per minute. If the heart stops; life stops! It can be stopped directly by diseases of the heart and blood pipes called ‘cardiovascular diseases’, or indirectly by other diseases involving the entire body.

Cardiovascular Diseases

According to the World Health Organization, Cardiovascular Diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. The majority of cardiovascular diseases are non-communicable and related to modifiable lifestyles and other factors. The modifiable factors include high blood pressure, smoking, air pollution, lack of exercise, obesity, poor diet, excessive alcohol consumption, poor sleep, diabetes mellitus, and high blood cholesterol.

Considering the deaths from cardiovascular diseases and the extent of their preventable nature, in 1999 the World Heart Federation in conjunction with the World Health Organization announced the establishment of World Heart Day, which holds every September 29, to increase public awareness of cardiovascular diseases including their prevention and their global impact.

World Heart Day 2022

Recently celebrated on September 29, had an activating theme ‘Use Heart for Every Heart’. The ‘Use Heart’ entails being deliberate from the depth of the heart. It means to think differently; make the right decisions; act with courage; help others; and engage with this important cause. Similarly, the ‘For Every Heart’ means ensuring that the messages reach as many individuals as possible to help achieve cardiovascular health for every heart, with the beneficiaries of the actions being Humanity, Nature and You. The celebration called us to get involved with activities to spread awareness to all humankind. It also encouraged us to contribute to a healthier environment in our own way.

And lastly, by individually engaging in lifestyle modifications including good sleep practices, and resisting the harmful coping mechanisms and bad habits induced by stress, we can maximize our individual heart health.

Interestingly, World Heart Day 2022 said, “Beating the cardiovascular disease is something that matters to every beating heart.”
We were called to enter into the ‘World Heart Day Challenge’.
We were challenged to walk, run or bike a heart shape in your city. Whatever distance we make, every step counts for our heart health.
The organizers wanted to see as many hearts, in as many cities as possible by 29 September 2022. Whether alone or in a group, we were to create our heart shape and share it with others.

In the spirit of this challenge, by adopting quality sleep practices and practicing good stress management, we can make the best use of our different heart health. Each person sleeps right; every heart will be alright!

Remember that where, when, and how you sleep has an impact on your physical and mental health as well as your ability to live a healthy life. We all need quality sleep to be set for more productivity in our endeavours.

Are you currently facing any sleeping difficulty?

Are you looking for the best way to maintain quality sleep for generally wellbeing and healthy living?

A certified specialist is best fit to offer relevant advice for maintenance of quality sleep

Do you want to contact the Orthopaedic Sleep Consultant, Dr Charles Uzodimma, kindly send your request to sleepinfo@vitafoam.com.ng

Vitafoam is passionate about quality sleep, healthy living and general wellbeing of Nigerians. We are proudly Nigerian and constantly supports Nigerians with consistent quality products for comfort and wellbeing.