Global Burden of Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one cause of mortality world-wide and places a high medical and socioeconomic burden on developing countries. Our understanding of CVD and its evolution over the last 100 years has altered considerably. Reasons for the increased rate of CVD in the developing world include rapid urbanization and the demographic shift known as the modern epidemiologic transition. The case for intervention is based on both major human and economic impacts of CVD. It has been estimated that cost-effective interventions in developing countries with a high burden of CVD could result in a projected 24 million lives saved. This reduction in CVD mortality could reduce economic costs by $8 billion. Approaches to intervention include: 1) cardiovascular health promotion and CVD prevention and 2) action plans advocated by the World Health Organization.