Heart Disease

Heart disease is the world's main cause of death. Together with stroke, it claims almost 17 million lives a year worldwide, equivalent to one in every three deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that deaths from cardiovascular disease (CVD) will rise to 25 million by 2020, accounting for almost 40% of all deaths.

There are many factors that can affect heart health - some of which can be changed, others can't.
Approximately 75% of cardiovascular disease can be attributed to conventional risk factors.

Modifiable major risk factors are:

  • High blood pressure
  • High blood cholesterol
  • Smoking
  • Physical inactivity
  • Obesity
  • Unhealthy diets
  • Diabetes mellitus

Non-modifiable major risk factors are:

  • Increasing age
  • Heredity of family history
  • Gender

 

Consumers are concerned about heart diseases and recognize high blood cholesterol as a major risk factor, particularly in developed countries.
High blood cholesterol levels are causing around a third of all cardiovascular disease.

Reducing cholesterol by 10% has a marked effect on risk of coronary heart disease. A meta-analysis of 41 different studies shows a reduction in CHD risk ranging from 19% in those aged 75 – 84, to 54% in 35 – 44 year-olds.

However, over half of all Europeans and Americans do not achieve blood cholesterol within recommended levels. The number of adults with high cholesterol is predicted to increase by 20% in the next decade.

References
Mackay J, Mensah G, The Atlas of Heart Disease and Stroke, World Health Organization, 2004
Law J, Wald NJ, Thompson SG: By how much and how quickly does reduction in serum cholesterol concentration lower risk of ischaemic heart disease? BMJ 1994; 308:367-372

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