1.4M
people die every year from CVD in the region
Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in the Middle East and North Africa region, responsible for more than one third of all deaths, or 1.4 million people every year.
Deaths attributed to cardiovascular diseases range from 40% of total deaths in Oman to 10% in Somalia.
people die every year from CVD in the region
The total number of CVD deaths has risen by 48% in the last 30 years
The burden of obesity in the region more than doubled between 2000 and 2019
Medical advances in the last two decades—including novel therapeutics, the use of artificial intelligence to support diagnosis, and innovative models of care such as telemedicine—have helped countries make tremendous progress in understanding, preventing and treating cardiovascular disease (CVD). Yet, CVDs remain the world’s biggest killer, with more than 20 million people dying each year. […]
The World Heart Federation (WHF) is honoring Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association, with its Lifetime Achievement Award for 2025. This prestigious recognition is a testament to Nancy’s extraordinary leadership and lifelong commitment to transforming cardiovascular health on a global scale. Under Nancy’s bold leadership, the Association has become a global […]
GENEVA, 28 August 2025: The World Heart Federation (WHF) is partnering with sports organizations, hospitals, universities, and businesses to urge people to commit to a month of exercise as part of the battle to tackle heart disease. With this year marking the 25th anniversary of World Heart Day, WHF is launching a global campaign called […]
This statement was delivered by Dr. Lilian Mbau, our Advocacy Committee member for AFRO, at the Seventy-Fifth Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, under agenda item 16.9 – Progress Report on the Regional Framework for Integrating Essential Noncommunicable Disease Services in Primary Health Care Honourable Chair, Distinguished Delegates, The World Heart […]