Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a class of diseases that affect the heart or blood vessels (veins and arteries). It can be caused by a combination of socio-economic, behavioural, and environmental risk factors, including high blood pressure, unhealthy diet, high cholesterol, diabetes, air pollution, obesity, tobacco use, kidney disease, physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol and stress. Family history, ethnic background, sex, and age can also affect a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease.
Prevention and Risk Factors
Addressing modifiable risk factors to prevent cardiovascular disease
Air Pollution
Air pollution is the world’s largest single environmental health risk.
Cholesterol
High cholesterol causes 3.6 million deaths every year.
Healthy Diet
Poor diet is a leading cause of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Obesity
Global estimates suggest that almost 2.3 billion children and adults are living with overweight and obesity.
Tobacco
Tobacco is the second leading behavioural risk factor for cardiovascular disease deaths.
Cardiovascular Conditions
Conditions that affect the hear and blood vessels
Familial Hypercholesterolemia
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic condition that causes high cholesterol. It affects approximately 34 million people worldwide.
Heart Failure
Heart failure is the world’s leading cause of hospitalization, affecting more than 55 million people worldwide. It occurs when the heart stops pumping blood as well as it should be.
Hypertension
Hypertension is the number one risk factor for death globally, affecting more than 1 billion people.
Rheumatic Heart Disease
Rheumatic heart disease is a condition which affects 40 million people worldwide.
Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM)
Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is a serious, progressive condition that affects the heart’s ability to function.
Metabolic Health
Conditions that affect the body’s metabolism and increase CVD Risk.
Infectious Diseases Affecting the Heart
Infections that can impact heart health.
Chagas Disease
Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, is a neglected tropical disease caused by a group of parasites called Trypanosoma cruzi.
COVID-19
On 11 March, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic.
Influenza
Flu can lead to serious complications for the heart.
Population Health
CVD is the leading cause of death in women worldwide.
Prevention
Despite being largely preventable, cardiovascular disease (CVD) causes more than 20.5 million deaths every year.
Women & CVD
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in women worldwide.
Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM)
Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is a serious, progressive condition that affects the heart’s ability to function.