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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

WHF announces new CEO and COO Leadership

The World Heart Federation (WHF) is pleased to announce the appointment of its new CEO, Mr Finn-Jarle Rode, and extends a very warm welcome as he joins the team. Mr Rode brings a wealth of experience in strategic management and team leadership, much of it steeped in development, capacity-building, negotiation, forging partnerships, and humanitarian assistance. His […]

Heart Café ACC 2025: A Global Hub for Collaboration and Innovation

The World Heart Federation (WHF) Heart Café at the ACC Congress 2025 in Chicago provided an exceptional platform for global leaders, healthcare professionals, and advocates to come together and engage in six insightful and solution-driven discussions on the most pressing issues in cardiovascular health. The sessions fostered multidisciplinary dialogue, promoting meaningful exchange and driving forward […]

Don’t miss a moment: World Heart Federation together with 14 institutions launches World Adherence Day to save lives and improve health

GENEVA, 27 March 2025: Millions of lives—and billions in healthcare costs—are at stake due to one critical but often ignored issue: failure to follow treatment plans. The World Heart Federation (WHF) warns that non-adherence to medication, lifestyle recommendations, and overall healthcare plans is fuelling preventable hospitalizations, worsening health outcomes, and straining healthcare budgets worldwide. To […]

Healthy Lungs and Heart for Life at the WHO Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health

Healthy Lungs and Heart for Life at the WHO Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health In March 2025, Healthy Lungs and Heart for Life will be in Cartagena, Colombia, as part of the WHO Second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health. This conference will bring together international experts, policymakers, healthcare professionals and local communities to […]

Air Pollution

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 […]