On the occasion of World Heart Day take a pledge to keep your heart healthy and strong. If you are suffering or have suffered any heart attack, then World Heart Day is the right time to know about the various non-modifiable and modifiable risk factors, and prevent such attacks in future.

The heart, although is the strongest muscle of the body, is very vulnerable to the various factors such as eating habits, smoking, stress, obesity and cholesterol.

The World Health Organization reveals shocking facts that more than 17 million people die of various heart diseases among which 80% is premature deaths. So, what causes such deaths? Definitely, unhealthy eating habits, lack of physical activity and consumption of tobacco cause the excessive number of deaths.

But the good news is that all such factors could be prevented with right information and by following certain actions. This year, the World Heart Federation and its members on World Heart Day 2011 has asked people across the world to take charge of their family's heart health and also advocate the healthy lifestyle for a healthy living.

World Heart Federation has identified four actions that can keep heart diseases at bay:

Ban smoking completely at your home: By doing so, it will improve the health of the family members and also create a healthy environment to live in.

Healthy eating tips: It advocates that a healthy diet that is rich in vegetables and fruits can prevent cardio vascular diseases (CVD).

Be Active: Organizing outdoor activities such as hiking trips or simply playing in the playground can avert the risk of heart diseases.

Know your numbers: It is very important to know about glucose or cholesterol level, blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) as based on these facts an individual can develop a strategy that would help him/her keep fit and active.