By Dr Jonathan Shurlock
Edited by Dr Ahmed El-Medany
The World Heart Federation recently published the World Heart Report. A challenging read, the report demonstrates how much progress is needed to tackle cardiovascular disease (CVD) globally. We have summarised the key findings and priorities below.
Key findings:
- CVD is the leading cause of death in the world, responsible for 20.5 million deaths in 2021
- CVD burden is disproportionately high in low- and middle-income countries, attributing to 82% of all deaths
- The gap in CVD mortality between high- and low-income countries is widening
- The social determinants of health, such as poverty, inequality, and gender discrimination play a major role in the burden of CVD
Inequality and disparity:
- In 2021, the age-standardized death rate from CVD was 3.2 times higher in low-income countries than in high-income countries
- The burden of CVD is also disproportionately high among women, people of colour, and people from marginalised communities
Comparison to other causes of death:
- CVD is responsible for more deaths than cancer and HIV/AIDS combined
- In 2021, CVD was responsible for 32% of all deaths in the world, compared to 22% for cancer and 8% for HIV/AIDS
Recommendations:
- Investing in prevention programs, such as those that promote healthy eating and physical activity
- Improving access to affordable and quality healthcare
- Addressing the social determinants of health, such as poverty and inequality
The report concludes by calling for urgent action to reduce the global burden of CVD. It states that “heart disease is a preventable disease, and we have the tools to make a difference” – a clear call to action for all of those involved in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of CVD, as well as those involved in research into these areas.
Read the full 2023 World Heart Report here:
https://world-heart-federation.org/wp-content/uploads/World-Heart-Report-2023.pdf
