World Heart Day was observed in Pakistan as elsewhere in the world on Sunday. Different health organisations organised awareness programmes including health checks‚ walks‚ fitness sessions‚ public talk and stage shows‚ scientific forums‚ exhibitions‚ concerts‚ carnivals and sports tournaments in more than 100 countries to mark the World Heart Day on Sunday.
According to a WHO report‚ cardiovascular diseases claim 17.1 million lives a year. Risk factors for heart disease and stroke include raised-blood pressure‚ cholesterol and glucose levels‚ smoking‚ overweight‚ obesity and physical inactivity‚ it says.