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Western Pacific

Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in the Western Pacific, accounting for nearly 40% of all deaths.

The region is also home to the world’s largest burden of rheumatic heart disease, which remains a major health issue in low- and middle-income countries in the Western Pacific Region, as well as among Indigenous communities in Australia and New Zealand.

5.7M

people die from CVD every year in the Western Pacific

CVD is the number one cause of death in the region

82,000

people die from rheumatic heart disease every year in the region

Latest News

Countdown to EU Cardiovascular Health Plan: Key Stakeholders Gather at EACH Summit

WHF welcomes the first EU Cardiovascular Health Plan Every day in Europe, cardiovascular disease kills 5,000 people, yet it rarely makes the headlines. As Europe’s, and the world’s, leading cause of death, it demands both urgent attention and action. With the upcoming EU Cardiovascular Health Plan, the EU takes a major step to prioritise heart […]

Advancing heart health through strong global policy: reflections from COP11 and COP30

In 2025, the World Heart Federation continued its advocacy at the forefront of global health by addressing the intersecting threats of tobacco, environmental degradation, and climate change, which together pose a growing burden on cardiovascular health worldwide.   These issues are closely connected: the tobacco industry contributes to deforestation, soil degradation, and greenhouse gas emissions, while cigarette filters […]

Rejecting Harmful Narratives: Safeguarding Tobacco Control from Industry Interference

This statement was delivered by the World Heart Federation at the Eleventh session of the Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.   Madame Chair, Distinguished Delegates, The World Heart Federation applauds Parties for reaffirming their commitments under Articles 5.2(b) and 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. […]

Tobacco’s Hidden Toll: Addressing Tobacco’s Impact on Our Planet

This statement was delivered by the World Heart Federation at the Eleventh session of the Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control   Honourable Chair, Distinguished Delegates, The World Heart Federation commends Parties for the progress made in protecting the environment from tobacco-related harms and product waste. The impact of […]

Air Pollution

Air Pollution

Chagas Disease

Chagas Disease

Cholesterol

Cholesterol

COVID-19

COVID-19

Diabetes

Diabetes

Healthy Diet

Healthy Diet

Heart Failure

Heart Failure

Hypertension

Hypertension

Obesity

Obesity

Prevention

Prevention

Rheumatic Heart Disease

Rheumatic Heart Disease

Tobacco

Tobacco

Women & CVD

Women & CVD

The most common heart attack symptom, in both men and women, is some type of chest pain, pressure or discomfort. But chest pain is not always the most noticeable symptom, especially in women, who are more likely to experience it as pressure or tightness in the chest. They may even have no chest pain at […]

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