Heart Disease: A Global Epidemic According to the WHO Report

Heart Disease: A Global Epidemic According to the  WHO Report

Heart disease has emerged as the leading cause of death worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In its latest report, the WHO revealed that cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are responsible for an estimated 17.9 million deaths annually, accounting for 32% of all global deaths. This alarming statistic underscores the need for urgent action to address this global health crisis.

What Are Cardiovascular Diseases?

CVDs refer to a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels. They include:

• Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): Blockages in the arteries supplying blood to the heart.
• Cerebrovascular Disease: Conditions affecting blood flow to the brain, such as stroke.
• Heart Failure: A condition where the heart cannot pump blood effectively.
• Rheumatic Heart Disease: Damage to the heart valves due to rheumatic fever.
• Peripheral Arterial Disease: Narrowing of blood vessels in the arms and legs.

Among these, ischemic heart disease (heart attacks) and strokes are the most common causes of death.

Global Impact

The burden of heart disease is not evenly distributed:

• Low- and middle-income countries bear the brunt, accounting for over 75% of CVD-related deaths. Limited access to healthcare, unhealthy diets, and a lack of awareness exacerbate the problem in these regions.
• In high-income countries, heart disease rates are stabilizing or decreasing due to advancements in healthcare, preventive measures, and public health policies. However, unhealthy lifestyles, including poor diets and sedentary behavior, remain challenges.

Risk Factors

The WHO report identifies several modifiable risk factors for heart disease:

1. Unhealthy Diets: High intake of trans fats, salt, and sugars increases the risk of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes.
2. Physical Inactivity: Sedentary lifestyles contribute to obesity and poor cardiovascular health.
3. Tobacco and Alcohol Use: Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are major contributors to CVDs.
4. High Blood Pressure and Cholesterol: Often called "silent killers," these conditions go undetected in many cases, leading to severe complications.
5. Stress and Mental Health: Chronic stress and depression are increasingly recognized as risk factors for heart disease.

The Role of Individuals

While governments and organizations play a critical role, individuals must also take proactive steps:

1. Adopt a Heart-Healthy Lifestyle: Focus on balanced diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats.
2. Exercise Regularly: At least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week.
3. Quit Smoking: Smoking cessation significantly reduces the risk of heart disease within a few years.
4. Manage Stress: Incorporate mindfulness, meditation, or hobbies to alleviate stress.
5. Regular Check-Ups: Routine health screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.

Heart disease in the United States

In the United States:

• Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups.
• One person dies every 33 seconds from cardiovascular disease.
• In 2022, 702,880 people died from heart disease. That's the equivalent of 1 in every 5 deaths.
• Heart disease cost about $252.2 billion from 2019 to 2020. This includes the cost of health care services, medicines, and lost productivity due to death.

Coronary artery disease (CAD)

• Coronary heart disease is the most common type of heart disease. It killed 371,506 people in 2022.
• About 1 in 20 adults age 20 and older have CAD (about 5%).
• In 2022, about 1 out of every 5 deaths from cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) was among adults younger than 65 years old.

Heart attack

• In the United States, someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds.
• Every year, about 805,000 people in the United States have a heart attack. Of these, 605,000 are a first heart attack, and 200,000 happen to be people who have already had a heart attack.
• About 1 in 5 heart attacks are silent—the damage is done, but the person is not aware of it.

 Treatment options include:

1. Ayurveda is best: Arjuna is primarily known as a heart tonic. Its bark is used to:
   • Strengthen heart muscles.
   • Improve blood circulation.
   • Lower high blood pressure.
   • Reduce cholesterol levels and prevent plaque buildup in arteries.
2. Medications: Thrombolytics to dissolve clots, aspirin, beta-blockers, or statins to manage cholesterol.
3. Angioplasty and Stenting: A catheter is used to open blocked arteries, and a stent is placed to keep them open.
4. Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABG): A procedure that reroutes blood flow around a blockage