World Heart Day in Bulgaria

The World Heart Day - September 29, was celebrated by the Bulgarian Society of Cardiology (BSC) with many national activities in which hundreds of Bulgarians participated in cities. The World Heart Day initiative was held for the 24th time in a row by the World Heart Federation with the aim of activating as many people and institutions as possible around the world to take action to strengthen cardiovascular health. This year's motto was "Use your heart for action".

On September 29, the new Bulgarian initiative "Take a walk with your cardiologist" took place in major cities in our country. Its purpose is to emphasize regular moderate physical activity - a major factor in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Participants had the opportunity to hear advice and discuss with their doctors the issues that concern them. Everyone received informational materials while taking a healthy walk. There were also T-shirts that the young participants in the initiative were most pleased with.

In Sofia, the walk began at noon on September 29 in the South Park, led by Prof. Vasil Traikov. The rain and strong wind did not indulge the motivation of the dedicated people to the cause of cardiovascular health prevention.

In Plovdiv, the good weather supported the initiative and many people of all ages joined the walk in the Tsar Simeon garden. It was led by Prof. Maria Tokmakchieva and Dr. Krasimir Jinsov, who explained why physical activity is important and who are the other "co-workers" of the heart.

Students from the Association of Medical Students in Bulgaria also participated in Varna, and Prof. Yoto Yotov took over the leadership. The young people here were the clearest majority and charged with good mood everyone passing through the alleys of the Sea Garden.

Many young ambassadors of healthy heart prevention also came to Burgas to walk along the beautiful avenues of the Sea Garden. The walk there was conducted by Associate Professor Liliana Mircheva, who gave advice on preventing bad habits and encouraging good ones.

Dozens of active citizens gathered for the walk with the cardiologists Prof. Dobrin Vasilev, Dr. Panayot Panaitov and Dr. Saifie Tsrankova in the Youth Park in Ruse. Before the physical activity, there was a talk in which Prof. Vassilev explained how everyone can "manage" the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in everyday life. Citizens asked the cardiologists many questions before going for a long walk in the park.

In Pleven, Prof. Snezhana Tisheva, Associate Professor Nadia Stancheva and Associate Professor Konstantin Gospodinov stood at the head of the initiative, and the walk took place in the "Kaylaka" park and was combined with a sports event in support of the desire for regular physical activity.

Dr. Georgi Kichukov and Dr. Georgi Majdrakov welcomed those wishing to go for a walk with cardiologists in the Central Park of Pernik. They also answered questions from active citizens.

Many people also joined in Smolyan, where Dr. Ailin Hadjieva, Dr. Hristo Ivanov and Dr. Altai Kosov had also prepared to measure the blood levels of those who wished. So they showed how blood pressure should be measured correctly and gave a lot of practical advice to the citizens before they all went on a walk.

Lectures with questions and answers and information materials for the citizens were provided for several days by Dr. Krasimir Marinov and the municipality of Troyan. The city participates for the second year in a row in celebrating the World Heart Day.

A traditional initiative on World Heart Day is the red lighting of emblematic buildings in major cities. On the evening of September 29, the National Palace of Culture, the House of Culture in Plovdiv, the Pier of the Sea Garden in Burgas, Tsarevets Hill in Veliko Tarnovo, the Pantheon of the Revivalists in Ruse, Darenie Gallery "Svetlin Rusev" in Pleven, the buildings of Stara Zagora and Smolyan municipalities, the Revival Community Center in Panagyurishte glowed in the color of blood. A red heart shone on the building of the Theater (community center) in Troyan.

On September 29, in the late afternoon, the mayor of Sofia, Vasil Terziyski, signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Chairman of the Bulgarian Society of Cardiology, Prof. Vasil Traikov, for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. The memorandum was signed in the presence of the future chairman of the BSC Prof. Kiril Karamfilov, municipal councilors Boris Bonev, chairman of the "We continue the change", "Yes, Bulgaria", "Save Sofia" group, Vanya Tagareva and Anton Hekimyan - GERB-SDS and Sevdalina Petrova, independent municipal councillor. The representatives of the municipal leadership emphasized the importance of the problem in our country and their readiness for active joint actions with the BSC on the initiatives to gradually overcome it. Prof. Traikov noted that the signing of the memorandum by Sofia Municipality is a sign of the institutions' focused attention on the priorities of the National Plan for Cardiovascular Health, developed by the BSC. The next step is to create an interdepartmental working group in the Ministry of Health, through which it will be brought to the level of an effective strategy. The signing of the memorandum is a step forward, because broad support for the plan is extremely important, Prof. Karamfilov emphasized.

On September 29 and in the days after, many public figures, medical institutions and leading veterinarians also expressed their sympathy and charitable initiatives on the occasion of World Heart Day through social media.

Another main priority in 2024 is the start of health education aimed at cardiovascular prevention in school age. The week of the heart is held in over 100 schools in the country in the period September 30 - October 4 in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Science. In a special Class Hour, students are introduced to the main risk factors for cardiovascular health and key beneficial habits to protect and strengthen it throughout life.

The celebration of World Heart Day in Bulgaria with more and more national activities is dedicated to the effort to overcome the negative trends in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality with the efforts of the whole society, led by the professional cardiology community. These diseases continue to be the leading cause of death in our country and around the world, however much of this type of loss of life is preventable. The only way to do this, as well as to reduce the number of serious cardiovascular diseases, is active prevention from an early age. Its goal is to establish a healthy lifestyle with physical activity, balanced nutrition, regular preventive examinations, combating overweight and hypertension, avoiding harmful habits such as smoking, use of alcohol, fat and salt, etc.

Video – World Heart Day in Bulgaria

Video - National Palace of Culture in Sofia is illuminated in red