Can we prevent cardiovascular diseases in low- and middle-income countries?
Ischaemic heart disease, the largest cause of death worldwide, is rapidly becoming a major threat in low- and middle-income countries. Experience in a variety of populations has demonstrated that lowering certain risk factors, such as hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia, reduces illness and deaths from cardiovascular diseases. A dual approach is recommended: screening and intervening in cases of relatively high risk, while fostering population-wide preventive activities. This is both feasible and affordable. Now is the time to make such efforts.
Lenfant
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National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-2468, USA.
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003906:Developing Countries / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008019:Life Style; D009014:Morals; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011203:Poverty; D011314:Preventive Health Services; D011322:Primary Prevention; D012307:Risk Factors