Heart: the rhythm that sustains life
On World Heart Day, learn about the extraordinary workings of the organ that keeps blood circulating and the everyday choices that help preserve cardiovascular health.
High-TechSociety.com | By Luiz Cincurá | Cite
September 29th is World Heart Day, an international mobilization dedicated to raising awareness about cardiovascular diseases, the importance of their prevention, and the need to expand access to diagnosis and treatment.
The campaign is led by the World Heart Federation (WHF), an international non-governmental organization based in Geneva, Switzerland. The organization brings together more than 200 heart foundations, scientific societies, and patient organizations in over 100 countries.
How did World Heart Day come about?
The idea of creating a world day dedicated to the heart was conceived by the Catalan cardiologist Antoni Bayés de Luna , president of the World Heart Federation between 1997 and 1999.
Born in Vic , Spain , in 1936 , Bayés de Luna is Professor Emeritus of Cardiology at the Autonomous University of Barcelona and an international authority on electrocardiography, arrhythmias, and sudden death . His scientific contributions include studies that led to the identification of Bayés syndrome¹ . In 2025, he received the Gold Medal of the City of Vic in recognition of a professional career whose influence has transcended the borders of Spain.
The idea for World Heart Day arose from the need to raise awareness about the rise in cardiovascular diseases and to transform available scientific knowledge into understandable and accessible preventative actions.
The first World Heart Day was officially celebrated in 2000, during the same period as the Sydney Olympic Games, with the motto "Let it Beat," which highlighted the importance of physical activity in preventing heart and blood vessel diseases.
In the early years, the celebration took place on the last Sunday of September. From 2011 onwards, it has had a fixed date – September 29th – facilitating the annual organization of simultaneous campaigns in different regions of the world.
Since then, the date has transformed into a multilingual mobilization involving health institutions, scientific associations, patient organizations, schools, sports clubs, companies, governments, and communities. Its purpose is not only to remind people of the existence of cardiovascular diseases, but also to encourage individual care and ongoing public action.
The 2026 campaign
In 2026, the World Heart Federation will continue the "Don't Miss a Beat" campaign, highlighting the importance of recognizing the signs and symptoms of cardiovascular disease.
The central message this year is:
“Heart disease can hide in plain sight: Don't miss a beat.”
The campaign draws attention to diseases and risk factors that can develop silently. Hypertension², for example, often does not present obvious symptoms, although it increases the risk of heart attack³ , stroke⁴ and other complications.
The Federation also encourages simple and consistent actions: walking more , replacing prolonged periods of inactivity with movement, making healthier food choices, knowing your own health indicators, and seeking professional evaluation periodically.
Mobilization is especially important because cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide, responsible for approximately 20 million deaths each year .
But before understanding how to protect it, it's worth getting to know the heart better and discovering how this extraordinary organ manages to keep blood circulating, without interruption, throughout life.
Why does blood need to circulate?
The heart is a muscular organ whose main function is to keep the blood circulating. This continuous movement is essential because the blood carries oxygen taken in from the lungs and nutrients obtained from food to the cells throughout the body. On the way back, it collects carbon dioxide and other substances that need to be processed or eliminated.
Blood also transports hormones, participates in the defense against infections, helps control body temperature, and carries elements necessary for clotting. Therefore, its circulation cannot be interrupted: the brain, kidneys, muscles, and all other organs depend on this constant flow to continue functioning.
The right side of the heart receives blood returning from the body and sends it to the lungs, where oxygenation occurs. The left side receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs and pumps it back throughout the body. With each heartbeat, these two circulations work in a coordinated manner.
Four valves open and close at specific times, directing the blood flow and preventing it from flowing back down the wrong path. Atria and ventricles 5 They contract in an organized and rhythmic sequence to receive and propel blood.
How does the heart beat without a battery?
The heart doesn't have a battery nor does it depend on an electrical outlet, but it does have an extraordinary natural electrical system . In a small region of the right atrium lies the sinoatrial node, formed by specialized cells capable of spontaneously producing bioelectrical impulses. For this reason, it is known as the heart's natural pacemaker.
These impulses arise from the controlled movement of electrically charged particles - especially sodium, potassium, and calcium - across the membranes of heart cells. The signal travels through the heart in an organized sequence: first it stimulates the contraction of the atria and then that of the ventricles, which pump blood to the lungs and the rest of the body.
The brain and nervous system can speed up or slow down the heart rate according to the body's needs, such as during sleep, walking, or playing sports. However, they don't need to individually control each heartbeat: the heart itself has the ability to initiate its rhythm.
It is important to distinguish the electrical impulse from the energy used by the heart muscle . Produced by the sinoatrial node, the impulse establishes the rhythm of the heartbeat and indicates when the atria and ventricles should contract. In simple terms, the electrical impulse functions as a command , not as the energy source for movement.
Upon receiving this command, millions of cardiac muscle cells use ATP to contract. Since these cells form the walls of the atria and ventricles, their combined action reduces the internal volume of these chambers and propels the blood.
ATP is produced primarily by the mitochondria 7 , which utilize the oxygen and nutrients carried to the heart muscle by the coronary arteries. Thus, an admirable cycle is formed: the heart pumps blood; the coronary circulation carries oxygen and nutrients to its cells; these cells produce the ATP necessary for muscle work; and this energy allows the heart to continue contracting and keeping the blood circulating.
Therefore, the heart does not need an external battery: it produces its own electrical rhythm and continuously transforms the chemical energy of nutrients into mechanical force to pump blood.
Science and spirituality need not occupy opposing spaces in the face of this reality. The more one understands the organization of the heart—its structure, its electrical system, its energy source, and the coordination of each beat—the greater one can admire its depth and complexity. For those who recognize the presence of the Creator , this functioning reveals, in each pulse, the grandeur of a work that silently sustains life.
When danger shows no obvious signs
The continuous functioning of the heart can create the impression that everything is fine. However, some factors that increase cardiovascular risk can remain asymptomatic for a long time.
High blood pressure , changes in blood glucose⁹ and changes in cholesterol⁸ can develop without causing noticeable symptoms. When there is an excess of LDL , often called bad cholesterol , cholesterol particles can accumulate on the walls of the arteries, causing inflammation and contributing to the progressive formation of plaques. This process, called atherosclerosis , can narrow or obstruct the arteries and hinder blood circulation.
Over time, these factors can damage, harden, or narrow the arteries, and when left unidentified and uncontrolled, increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular complications.
This reality explains the message of the 2026 campaign: cardiovascular diseases can be present even when they seem invisible. Prevention therefore also depends on knowledge of indicators such as blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol , with proper medical monitoring through periodic evaluations.
Moving your body also protects your heart.
Regular physical activity helps prevent and control cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and excess weight. It also contributes to well-being, mental health, and quality of life.
Walking, running, cycling, swimming, dancing, weight training, playing tennis, soccer, volleyball, and basketball are some possibilities. Simple activities incorporated into the routine also count: climbing stairs, walking short distances, getting up after a long period of sitting, and performing tasks that get the body moving.
The World Health Organization recommends that adults engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity per week, or an equivalent combination. Strengthening activities for major muscle groups should also be performed on two or more days of the week.
These numbers represent a general reference, not a requirement for a sedentary person to immediately begin with high intensity. Some movement is better than none. The start can be gradual, respecting age, fitness level, and health conditions. People with diagnosed illnesses or physical limitations should seek professional guidance to exercise safely.
Food choices and routines that are repeated every day.
Protecting your heart doesn't depend on a single decision, but on choices that are repeated over time.
A balanced diet should prioritize fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and minimally processed foods, with moderation in the consumption of salt, sugar, and fats. Maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, and avoiding harmful alcohol consumption also helps reduce cardiovascular risk.
Smoking damages blood vessels and significantly increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Frequent exposure to air pollution is also recognized as a cardiovascular risk factor.
In addition to individual habits, care depends on collective conditions: access to safe spaces for physical activity, healthy food at affordable prices, medical follow-up, diagnosis, and treatment. Therefore, the global campaign also encourages governments and institutions to develop permanent cardiovascular health policies.
Stress, emotions, and cardiovascular health.
Physical and metabolic factors, however, are not the only ones that deserve attention. Although temporary stressful situations are part of life, intense or persistent stress keeps the body in a state of alert and increases the release of hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol . This response can accelerate the heartbeat and raise blood pressure. When prolonged, it can also impair sleep , eating habits , physical activity , and treatment continuity, as well as promote harmful behaviors such as smoking or excessive alcohol consumption.
Emotional health and cardiovascular health are interconnected. Depression, anxiety, trauma, loneliness, and family, professional, or financial difficulties can interfere with self-care, seeking assistance, and recovery in people with heart disease. Therefore, when necessary, comprehensive care may include, in addition to medical evaluation, psychological, behavioral, and social aspects, with the participation of psychologists and other health professionals, as well as support from family and the community.
Don't wait for your heart to cry for help.
World Heart Day should not be just an annual reminder. Its main purpose is to encourage care that can be maintained throughout the year.
Understanding how the heart works helps us understand why protecting it means taking care of the entire body. Staying physically active, eating a balanced diet, not smoking, monitoring indicators such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, and taking care of mental health are all actions that contribute to preserving cardiovascular health and reducing the risk of disease , allowing the heart to continue fulfilling, beat after beat, its vital function of keeping blood circulating.
The heart sustains the circulation that keeps every organ functioning. Recognizing its complexity, taking care of its health, and not ignoring possible warning signs are ways to value life and the extraordinary work that makes it possible.
By Luiz Cincurá
Founder and Editor
Warning: This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical evaluation, diagnosis, or guidance.
Editorial Transparency: This article was produced with the support of ChatGPT in research, information organization, and suggestions for writing and revision. The Editor defined the approach, guided and analyzed the research, directly participated in the writing and revision of the text, decided on the changes, approved the final version, and assumes responsibility for the published content .
Notes:
¹ Bayes' syndrome is related to an alteration in the electrical communication between the atria, the two upper chambers of the heart. When the impulse has difficulty passing from one atrium to the other, the contractions may lose some of their coordination, favoring arrhythmias, especially atrial fibrillation. This alteration can be identified by electrocardiogram . The syndrome was named in honor of the cardiologist Antoni Bayés de Luna , for his contributions to the study of this phenomenon .
² High blood pressure occurs when the pressure exerted by the blood on the walls of the arteries remains elevated. Under these conditions, the heart needs to work harder to keep the blood circulating. Over time, uncontrolled high blood pressure can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease. Since it usually doesn't present symptoms, measuring blood pressure regularly is the best way to identify the problem .
3 Myocardial infarction (heart attack) occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart muscle is interrupted, usually by a clot blocking a coronary artery. Without blood and oxygen, the cells in that region begin to suffer damage and may die. Pressure or pain in the chest, discomfort in the arms, back, neck, or jaw, shortness of breath, cold sweats, and nausea are among the possible signs. Because symptoms can vary, any suspicion of a heart attack requires immediate medical attention: the faster blood flow is restored, the less damage there may be to the heart.
4. A stroke , also known as a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) , occurs when a blood vessel that carries blood to the brain is blocked or ruptures. In the case of a blockage, it is called an ischemic stroke ; in the case of a rupture and bleeding, it is called a hemorrhagic stroke . In both cases, brain cells can be rapidly damaged. Sudden weakness or tingling on one side of the body, an asymmetrical smile, difficulty speaking or understanding, changes in vision or balance, and a sudden, intense headache are warning signs. A stroke is an emergency: the faster the treatment, the greater the chances of survival and recovery .
5. Atria and ventricles: The heart has four chambers: two atria, located in the upper part, and two ventricles, located in the lower part. The atria receive the blood that arrives at the heart: the right atrium receives blood from the body, and the left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the lungs. Then, the blood passes to the ventricles. The right ventricle sends it to the lungs, where it receives oxygen, while the left ventricle pumps it throughout the body.
6 ATP is a substance that the cell itself produces and uses as an immediate source of energy. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the heart cells, and within them, the mitochondria use these elements to produce ATP. Muscle cells then consume this energy to contract and relax. Because ATP is used up quickly, its production needs to occur continuously.
7. Mitochondria are small structures found inside cells. They use oxygen and nutrients carried by the blood to produce ATP, a substance that the cell uses as an immediate source of energy. Heart muscle cells have many mitochondria because they need to continuously produce energy to maintain the heartbeat .
8. Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that the body needs to form cells, hormones, and other structures. Most of it is produced by the body itself, mainly in the liver, and some comes from food. To circulate in the blood, cholesterol is transported by particles such as LDL and HDL. When there is an excess of LDL, cholesterol can accumulate on the walls of the arteries and form plaques that hinder blood flow. HDL helps transport excess cholesterol back to the liver. Because high cholesterol usually doesn't cause symptoms, its levels need to be checked by a blood test.
9 Glucose is a simple sugar and one of the body's main sources of energy. It is obtained primarily from food. During digestion, many carbohydrates found in bread, pasta, rice, fruits, and other foods are transformed into glucose, which is transported by the blood to the cells.
Insulin , a hormone produced by the pancreas, helps glucose leave the blood and enter cells, where it can be used as an energy source. Glucose is not harmful in itself, but prolonged periods of elevated glucose levels can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Glucose levels can be monitored through blood tests.
Sources:
World Heart Federation:
World Heart Day 2026
History of World Heart Day
About WHF
World Health Organization:
Cardiovascular diseases
Physical activity
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. How the heart beats
American Heart Association. Electrical system of the heart
How to cite this publication:
ANDRADE, Luiz Inácio Caribé Cincurá de. Heart: the rhythm that sustains life . On World Heart Day, learn about the extraordinary functioning of the organ that keeps blood circulating and the everyday choices that help preserve cardiovascular health. High-TechSociety.com, September 29, 2026. Available at: https://www.high-techsociety.com/en/post/heart-the-rhythm-that-sustains-life
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