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World to reflect on heart diseaseBy Isabel Webster for CNN  Heart disease is more prevalent in females, killing 8.5 million women a year. RELATEDYOUR E-MAIL ALERTSLONDON, England (CNN) -- Heart disease is now the leading cause of death worldwide, ahead of AIDS, malaria, pneumonia and lung cancer, experts say. The World Heart Federation calls cardiovascular disease (CVD) a global epidemic, which currently contributes to just under a third of global mortality. The warning has been issued ahead of World Heart Day on Sunday, September 25. More than 100 countries are expected to take part, in a bid to reverse the rapid spread in obesity and diabetes, believed to greatly increase the risk of heart-related disease. Anthony Rodgers, of the University of Auckland's Clinical Trials Research Unit, said that over a billion people could die from CVD in the first half of the century, which would be "an enormous tragedy, given that research in the last half of the 20th century showed that cardiovascular disease was largely preventable." Throughout the world there are now more overweight than underfed women. Based on these findings, this year's World Heart Day will have the theme "healthy weight, healthy shape." Sidney Smith, Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board for the World Heart Federation, lays emphasis on where your body stores its fat, stating that, "excess abdominal fat is more resistant to the actions of insulin so a large waist relative to hip size (apple shape) raises the risk of heart disease." CVD is more prevalent in females, killing 8.5 million women a year, and accounting for half of all deaths of women over 50 in developing countries. Whilst CVD has traditionally been a problem for wealthy nations, a shift has been noticed from developed to developing countries, making World Health Day a truly global awareness campaign. In some countries, World Health Day has served as a launch pad for long-term campaigns. In Poland, the event previously kicked-off a two year educational campaign, 'Mind Heart', promoted by the Polish Ministry of Health and endorsed by the Polish Cardiac Society. The exponential growth of the World Heart Day initiative can be attributed to the readily apparent positive effects of action against CVD. Scientists say a healthy lifestyle can quickly reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. The economic benefits of combating CVD are also tangible. The cost of obesity-related healthcare is already skyrocketing, with estimates for the U.S. at 25 percent of spending by 2030. Former U.S. president Bill Clinton and tennis star Roger Federer are among many celebrities lending their support to the event. Activities on Sunday will include health checks, walks, runs, public talks, exhibitions and sports tournaments. World Heart Day is sponsored by the World Health Organization, UNESCO, the World Heart Federation and UEFA. 
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