17.
Heart Disease
A Global Disease Requiring A Global Response
Cardiovascular disease or heart disease are a class of diseases that involve the heart or blood vessels (arteries and veins). Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally and is projected to remain so. It has no geographic, gender or socioeconomic boundaries.
Every year, heart disease and stroke causes as many deaths as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and diabetes plus all forms of cancer and chronic respiratory disease combined.
The percentage of premature deaths from cardiovascular disease range from 4% in high-income countries to 42% in low-income countries.
An estimated 17.3 million people died from cardiovascular diseases in 2008. By 2030, almost 23.6 million people will die from cardiovascular diseases. In recent years, cardiovascular risk in women has been increasing and has killed more women than breast cancer.
The heart is arguably the organ that suffers most from increasing economic globalisation. Increasing industrialisation and urbanisation, while raising living standards for many, is also accompanied by a stressed lifestyle, hypertension and host of other unhealthy habits which ultimately take their toll on the person’s heart.
In nearly all regions of the world, heart failure is both common and on the rise. In Hong Kong there has been a 10% annual increase in hospital admissions over the past five years (unpublished data). In Africa, at least 3–7% of all hospital admissions are caused by heart failure. In South America cardiovascular disease is now the leading cause of death, and the prevalence rate of heart failure is about 4% in those older than 65 years. Similar prevalence rates were found in the Arab population.
Every year, heart disease and stroke causes as many deaths as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and diabetes plus all forms of cancer and chronic respiratory disease combined.
The percentage of premature deaths from cardiovascular disease range from 4% in high-income countries to 42% in low-income countries.
An estimated 17.3 million people died from cardiovascular diseases in 2008. By 2030, almost 23.6 million people will die from cardiovascular diseases. In recent years, cardiovascular risk in women has been increasing and has killed more women than breast cancer.
The heart is arguably the organ that suffers most from increasing economic globalisation. Increasing industrialisation and urbanisation, while raising living standards for many, is also accompanied by a stressed lifestyle, hypertension and host of other unhealthy habits which ultimately take their toll on the person’s heart.
In nearly all regions of the world, heart failure is both common and on the rise. In Hong Kong there has been a 10% annual increase in hospital admissions over the past five years (unpublished data). In Africa, at least 3–7% of all hospital admissions are caused by heart failure. In South America cardiovascular disease is now the leading cause of death, and the prevalence rate of heart failure is about 4% in those older than 65 years. Similar prevalence rates were found in the Arab population.
One out of every four Americans has cardiovascular disease, that converts to about 57 million Americans. Heart disease and stroke account for almost 6 million hospitalizations each year and cause disability for almost 10 million Americans age 65 years and older. Almost 1 million Americans die of cardiovascular diseases each year, which adds up to 42% of all deaths. CVD costs the nation $274 billion each year, including health expenditures and lost productivity.
The 1999 cost is estimated to be $286.5 billion, and the burden continues to grow as the population ages.
10% of the Indian population has cardiac problems with around four per cent of the rural population being afflicted with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), considered a disease of the developed world.
By 2016, it is estimated that 68 million people in the country will be afflicted by the CAD problem.
With the magnitude of the problem being very high in the next 10 years, it would mean 80 per cent of the global burden of CAD and cancer will be borne by India and lower middle income countries. CAD has also been recognised as a global epidemic.
A trend has emerged, particularly in the early 2000s, in which numerous studies have revealed a link between fast food and an increase in heart disease. These studies include those conducted by the Ryan Mackey Memorial Research Institute, Harvard University and the Sydney Center for Cardiovascular Health. Many major fast food chains, particularly McDonald’s, have protested the methods used in these studies and have responded with ‘healthier’ menu options.
The 1999 cost is estimated to be $286.5 billion, and the burden continues to grow as the population ages.
10% of the Indian population has cardiac problems with around four per cent of the rural population being afflicted with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), considered a disease of the developed world.
By 2016, it is estimated that 68 million people in the country will be afflicted by the CAD problem.
With the magnitude of the problem being very high in the next 10 years, it would mean 80 per cent of the global burden of CAD and cancer will be borne by India and lower middle income countries. CAD has also been recognised as a global epidemic.
A trend has emerged, particularly in the early 2000s, in which numerous studies have revealed a link between fast food and an increase in heart disease. These studies include those conducted by the Ryan Mackey Memorial Research Institute, Harvard University and the Sydney Center for Cardiovascular Health. Many major fast food chains, particularly McDonald’s, have protested the methods used in these studies and have responded with ‘healthier’ menu options.