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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

World Heart Federation announces new branded digital series, Beats of Change, to be produced by BBC StoryWorks

Can we change the future of heart health? Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is responsible for nearly one-third of all deaths globally, affecting hundreds of millions of people each year. Yet while its impact is widespread, it is not uniform. Disparities in access to care, prevention, and treatment mean that certain communities face worse outcomes. Despite this, […]

Emerging Leaders Programme 2025: Applications are now open

Applications are now open for the Emerging Leaders Programme 2025, which will focus on leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the field of cardiovascular disease (CVD), with an emphasis on Implementation Science. Now in its eleventh year, the WHF Emerging Leaders Programme provides training and networking opportunities in cardiovascular health policy and implementation research for healthcare practitioners, […]

Shaping a Stronger Global Plan of Action on Climate Change and Health: Key Recommendations for Impact

Agenda Item 22 – Climate Change and Health This constituency statement was led and delivered by the World Heart Federation, on behalf of 10 organisations, at the 156th session of the WHO Executive Board.   Constituency Statement This statement is made by the World Heart Federation on behalf of the Global Alliance for Tobacco Control, […]

Climate Change

Acting on Pollution for Better Cardiovascular Health

Agenda Item 20: The impact of chemicals, waste and pollution on human health This statement was delivered by the World Heart Federation at the 156th session of the WHO Executive Board   Honourable Chair, Distinguished Delegates, We thank the Director-General for the report and applaud Member States for their recognition of pollution as a risk […]

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 […]