World Heart Day was created by the World Heart Federation. Its aim is to inform people around the world that heart disease and stroke are the world's leading causes of death. Over 17 million people die each year from these. Another main aim is to educate the world population that 80 per cent of deaths from heart disease are premature. Most people who suffer heart attacks and strokes could live longer if they changed their lifestyle. Fewer people would die from heart complaints if they were more aware of the main risks. These include smoking, eating an unhealthy diet and not exercising. Experts say heart disease will lose China's economy around $558 billion between 2005 and 2015. Other countries will also lose billions.

The heart is a strong, muscular organ. Its job is to pump blood around our body. The heart contracts and expands in a non-stop rhythm to push our blood around a system of arteries and veins. The average human heart works at 72 beats per minute. In an average lifetime, it will beat approximately 2.5 billion times. The average weight of a human heart is around 300g. It is the size of a clenched fist. Advances in heart surgery means people can have heart replacement operations. In less serious cases, doctors can fit the heart with plastic valves and pumps to help it beat. World Heart Day is a good time for all of us to think more about this vital organ and live a life that keeps our heart strong and healthy.

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