# Global and regional cardiovascular health initiatives > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/cardiovascular-health-initiatives-in-croatia > Updated: 2026-09-30T08:36:03.000Z. Sources: 217. Developments: 4. As World Heart Day is observed on September 29, 2026, the global campaign ‘Don’t Miss a Beat’—led by the World Heart Federation and the World Health Organization—continues to emphasize the recognition of silent symptoms like hypertension and arrhythmias. Medical professionals maintain that up to 80 percent of premature cardiovascular events are preventable through lifestyle changes, including stress management, tobacco avoidance, and improved nutrition. Regional health data underscores the severity of the issue. In Serbia, cardiovascular diseases account for nearly half of all deaths. In Colombia, heart disease remains the primary cause of mortality. High rates of hypertension are noted in Paraguay, where approximately 50 percent of adults are affected, and in Eswatini, where 21.7 percent of adults live with high blood pressure. In Argentina, one-third of adults face hypertension, with experts warning that nearly half of these cases are asymptomatic. In response to these risks, local initiatives have been launched. In Vinkovci, Croatia, the city distributed three automated external defibrillators to local elementary school sports halls, valued at nearly 9,000 euros. Local health organizations and the Red Cross also conducted public campaigns offering blood pressure and BMI assessments. In Kragujevac, Serbia, the Institute of Public Health provided screenings for cholesterol, blood glucose, ECGs, and abdominal ultrasounds at a local market. Efforts also continue to address gender-specific risks, such as in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where women are “14 times more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than from breast cancer.” Technological tools, including AI for clinical decision-making and wearable devices like the Samsung Galaxy Watch, remain central to modern monitoring and risk assessment strategies. ## Claims - World Heart Day is observed annually on September 29. (corroborated by 22 sources) - Cardiovascular diseases claim more than 20.5 million lives annually worldwide. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The 2026 slogan is 'Don't Miss a Beat'. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The first celebration of World Heart Day was held in 2000. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Cyprus Society of Cardiology launched a Pan-Cypriot Information, Awareness and Education Campaign to mark World Heart Day. (single source) - Health Minister Neophytos Charalambides stated that addressing cardiovascular diseases requires systematic investment in prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and research. (single source) - The Council of Ministers has approved the National Strategy for the Management of Cardiovascular Diseases. (single source) - Cardiovascular diseases remain the most common cause of death in Slovenia. (single source) - Acute myocardial infarction was the leading single cause of death in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with 2,153 deaths. (single source) - A normal resting heart rate for most adults is between 60 and 100 beats per minute. (single source) - A woman is 14 times more likely to lose her life to cardiovascular disease than to breast cancer. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-30: World Heart Day initiatives promote prevention in Croatia and Serbia Public health campaigns for World Heart Day in Croatia and Serbia focused on preventive screenings and increasing access to life-saving equipment like defibrillators. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/world-heart-day-initiatives-promote-prevention-in-croatia-and-serbia ### 2026-09-28: World Heart Day: Global campaigns focus on cardiovascular disease prevention World Heart Day is observed on September 29, focusing on the 2026 slogan ‘Don’t Miss a Beat’ to promote cardiovascular disease prevention and early symptom recognition globally. 197 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cardiovascular-disease-remains-a-leading-cause-of-mortality-in-slovenia-and-bosnia-and-herzegovina ### 2026-09-25: Cardiovascular diseases remain leading cause of death in Croatia and Balkans Medical experts warn that cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of death in Croatia and the Balkans, noting that up to 80 percent of these cases are preventable through lifestyle changes. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cardiovascular-diseases-cause-24-of-premature-deaths-in-croatia ### 2026-09-20: Zagreb to host free cardiovascular health campaign for World Heart Day Zagreb will host a free cardiovascular health campaign on September 25 to mark World Heart Day, offering ECGs, blood pressure checks, and specialist consultations to the public. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zagreb-to-host-free-cardiovascular-health-campaign-for-world-heart-day --- Cite as: Global and regional cardiovascular health initiatives. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/cardiovascular-health-initiatives-in-croatia