Coordinating Efforts to Reduce the Global Incidence of Cardiovascular Disease

This editorial highlights the global burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD), emphasizing modifiable risk factors such as elevated systolic blood pressure, non HDL cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and smoking, which collectively account for 53-57% of CVD events worldwide. Citing data from large multinational studies (INTERHEART, INTERSTROKE, PURE), the authors advocate for integrated public health and clinical strategies, including task-sharing with nonphysician health workers and the use of polypills for simultaneous blood pressure and cholesterol management. They stress the urgent need for policy changes, such as tobacco control measures (WHO MPOWER strategy) and improved risk factor management in low and middle income countries, to reduce CVD incidence cost effectively.

This editorial highlights the global burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD), emphasizing modifiable risk factors such as elevated systolic blood pressure, non HDL cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and smoking, which collectively account for 53-57% of CVD events worldwide. Citing data from large multinational studies (INTERHEART, INTERSTROKE, PURE), the authors advocate for integrated public health and clinical strategies, including task-sharing with nonphysician health workers and the use of polypills for simultaneous blood pressure and cholesterol management. They stress the urgent need for policy changes, such as tobacco control measures (WHO MPOWER strategy) and improved risk factor management in low and middle income countries, to reduce CVD incidence cost effectively.