Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide, killing an estimated 17.9 million people each year. Cardiovascular disease is a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels and includes coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, rheumatic heart disease, and other conditions. More than four in five cardiovascular disease deaths are due to heart attacks and strokes, and a third of these deaths occur prematurely in people under the age of 70.
The most important behavioral risk factors for heart disease and stroke are poor diet, physical inactivity, smoking and harmful alcohol use. The effects of behavioral risk factors can manifest in individuals in the form of elevated blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, increased blood lipids, and overweight and obesity. These “intermediate risk factors” can be measured in primary care settings and indicate an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure and other complications.
Quitting smoking, reducing salt intake in the diet, increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, regular physical activity, and avoiding harmful alcohol use have been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Health policies that create environments conducive to affordable and available healthy choices are essential to motivating people to adopt and maintain healthy behaviors.
Identifying those most at risk for cardiovascular disease and ensuring they receive appropriate treatment can prevent premature deaths. Access to medicines for noncommunicable diseases and basic health technologies in all primary health care settings is essential to ensure that those who need it receive treatment and counseling.
