Football’s benefits for a heart-healthy lifestyle are being highlighted to women as part of an awareness-raising campaign that seeks to inform about cardiovascular disease and promote physical activity.

The World Heart Day, organised by the World Heart Federation in partnership with UEFA, is taking place today (29 September) and is encouraging women around the world to get active and pop up a football pitch to share a spontaneous game with friends.

A video was released ahead of the day calling on women to take part in the initiative.

In 2013, UEFA and the World Heart Federation joined forces for the ‘Make a healthy heart your goal’ campaign to encourage women and girls to lead an active lifestyle and practice sports, including football, to help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke and fight against cardiovascular disease, the number one killer of women.

The campaign was launched ahead of the UEFA Women’s Euro 2013, in Sweden, supported by the Swedish women’s national team and also aimed to promote the participation and development of girls and women’s football.

At the time, UEFA Executive Committee member and Chairwoman of the UEFA Women's Football Committee Karen Espelund said: "Women's football is not just a skilful and dynamic game, but it also has a unifying and empowering social effect. Football is the number one team sport for girls and women in Europe, and it can help combat heart disease.

"UEFA believes that every girl should have the opportunity to play football locally, regardless of skill or talent, and our partnership with the World Heart Federation supports this goal."