• It is estimated that 17.9 million people died from CVD in 2016, accounting for 31% of all deaths worldwide. 85% of these deaths occurred as a result of a heart attack and stroke.
• More than 75% of CVD deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Of the 17 million deaths from non-communicable diseases under the age of 70, 82% occur in low- and middle-income countries, and 37% are caused by CVD.
• Most cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by addressing risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diets and obesity, lack of physical activity and harmful alcohol consumption through strategies that reach the entire population.
• People suffering from CVD or at high risk of such diseases (due to the presence of one or more risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, or an already developed disease) need early detection and assistance through counseling and, if necessary, medication.

Don’t miss the most important science and health updates!

Subscribe to our newsletter and get the most important news straight to your inbox

• Coronary artery disease is a disease of the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart muscle.;
• Cerebral vascular disease is a disease of the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain.;
• Peripheral artery disease is a disease of the blood vessels that supply blood to the arms and legs.;
• Rheumocarditis is a lesion of the heart muscle and heart valves as a result of a rheumatic attack caused by streptococcal bacteria.;
• congenital heart disease is a deformity of the heart structure that exists from birth;
• Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are the formation of blood clots in the leg veins, which can shift and move towards the heart and lungs.

Heart attacks and strokes are usually acute diseases and occur mainly as a result of clogging of blood vessels, which prevents blood flow to the heart or brain. The most common reason for this is the formation of fatty deposits on the inner walls of blood vessels that supply blood to the heart or brain. Bleeding from a blood vessel in the brain or blood clots can also be a cause of stroke. The cause of myocardial infarction and stroke is usually a combination of risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet and obesity, lack of physical activity and harmful alcohol consumption, high blood pressure, diabetes and hyperlipidemia.

The main risk factors for heart disease and stroke are poor nutrition, physical inactivity, tobacco use and harmful alcohol consumption. The impact of behavioral risk factors on a person can manifest itself in the form of increased blood pressure, increased blood glucose levels, increased blood lipids, as well as overweight and obesity. These “intermediate risk factors” can be assessed in primary health care settings, and they may indicate an increased risk of developing myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, and other complications. It has been proven that stopping tobacco use, reducing salt intake, consuming fruits and vegetables, regular physical activity and preventing harmful alcohol consumption reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. In addition, drug therapy may be necessary to reduce the risk of developing CVD and prevent heart attack and stroke in diabetes, high blood pressure and elevated lipid levels. In order to strengthen people’s motivation to choose and maintain healthy behaviors, a health policy is needed to create an enabling environment for healthy choices and their acceptability. In order for people to choose and maintain healthy behaviors, policies are needed to create an environment conducive to healthy choices, accessibility, and affordability. There are also a number of factors that influence the development of chronic diseases, or underlying causes. They reflect the main driving forces leading to social, economic, and cultural change — globalization, urbanization, and population aging. Other determining factors for CVD are poverty, stress, and hereditary factors.

Symptoms of heart attack and stroke

Often, the underlying blood vessel disease is asymptomatic. A heart attack or stroke may be the first warning signs of the disease. Symptoms of a heart attack include:

• pain or discomfort in the middle of the chest;
• pain or discomfort in the arms, left shoulder, elbows, jaw, or back.

In addition, a person may experience difficulty breathing or lack of air; nausea or vomiting; feel dizzy or lose consciousness; become covered in cold sweat and become pale. Women are more likely to experience shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, and back and jaw pain. The most common symptom of a stroke is sudden weakness in the face, most often on one side, arm or leg. Other symptoms include sudden numbness of the face, especially on one side, arm or leg; confusion; difficulty speaking or understanding speech; difficulty seeing with one or two eyes; difficulty walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination; severe headache for no specific reason, as well as loss of consciousness or unconsciousness. People experiencing these symptoms should seek medical attention immediately. What is rheumocarditis? Rheumocarditis is damage to the heart valves and heart muscle as a result of inflammation and scarring caused by rheumatic fever. The cause of rheumatic fever is an abnormal reaction of the body to streptococcal infection. The disease usually manifests itself in the form of angina or tonsillitis in children at first. Rheumatic fever mainly affects children in developing countries, especially in conditions of widespread poverty. Worldwide, rheumocarditis is associated with almost 2% of all deaths from cardiovascular diseases. Symptoms of rheumocarditis

• Symptoms of rheumocarditis include: shortness of breath, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, and loss of consciousness.
• Symptoms of rheumatic fever include fever, joint pain and swelling, nausea, stomach cramps, and vomiting.