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.
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
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Latest News
A Milestone for Cardiovascular Health in Europe: The EU Safe Hearts Plan
On 16 December, the European Commission published the EU Safe Hearts Plan, the first comprehensive, EU-wide strategy dedicated to cardiovascular health. The Plan marks a major milestone in the EU’s response to cardiovascular disease, which remains the leading cause of death across the Union, responsible for 1.7 million deaths every year. Momentum around the Safe Hearts Plan has been building in […]
Statement by the World Heart Federation, commenting on the passage of the Fourth United Nations Political Declaration on Noncommunicable Diseases and the Promotion of Mental Health and Well-being
Today’s passage of the Fourth United Nations Political Declaration on Noncommunicable Diseases and the promotion of mental health and well-being marks a watershed moment for international collaboration to tackle the world’s number one killer, cardiovascular disease (CVD). “WHF is buoyed by the encouraging support of major groups and so many Member States in addressing cardiovascular […]
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 […]
