World Heart Day | 29 September 2026
World Heart Day is observed annually on 29 September. It is a global awareness campaign led by the World Heart Federation to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease (CVD), including heart disease and stroke, and to encourage people to take action to protect their heart health. The campaign message for 2026 is “heart disease can hide in plain sight: Don’t Miss a Beat.”
Every day, we have an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to heart health within our communities. As some of the most accessible healthcare professionals, community pharmacists are well placed to help patients understand and reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease through screening, prevention, medicine support and healthy lifestyle guidance. World Heart Day is an opportunity for us to start conversations about heart health, encourage patients to seek advice, and empower them to take positive steps towards healthier hearts and longer lives.
Community pharmacists can play an important role by helping patients:
- Check blood pressure and advise on blood pressure management
- Screen for diabetes and cardiovascular risk
- Improve adherence to cardiovascular medicines
- Promote healthy eating and weight management
- Support smoking cessation
- Encourage physical activity
- Identify patients who need referral for further assessment
Ask Your Pharmacist – Your Pharmacist, Your Partner in “Heart Health”.
World Heart Day and Pharmacy Month provide us with an opportunity to promote heart health and reinforce our role as accessible, trusted healthcare partners. By encouraging patients to “Ask Your Pharmacist” about their heart health, we can support prevention through screening, medicine adherence and healthy lifestyle advice, helping patients protect their hearts and improve their overall health.