The dominance of Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) as a leading killer in India and across the globe signifies an urgent call to action. More individuals succumb to CVDs every year than any other disease, highlighting the critical need for enhanced health policies and preventive measures. This article discusses the study conducted by the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) on the prevalence and causes of CVDs in different income groups, the findings, and the way forward.
Understanding Cardiovascular Diseases
Cardiovascular diseases encompass a plethora of disorders related to the heart and blood vessels. In a wide-ranging study, PURE observed over 160,000 individuals living in 21 countries for more than ten years to comprehensively understand the panorama of CVDs.
Findings from the Study
The study revealed intricate details about the incidence and deaths due to CVDs in Low-Income Countries (LIC). Predominantly, the factors influencing the high mortality rate included poor quality and scarcity of healthcare, unavailability of insurance creating financial hurdles in receiving medical aid, and varied impacts of components such as hypertension and education level.
In particular, indoor air pollution emerged as a novel risk for CVDs in LIC, with other factors spanning improper diet and consumption of dairy products contributing to these diseases. The influence of these aspects varies depending on a country’s economic status.
Remarkably, the study pointed out that deaths from cardiac diseases were thrice as much as those from cancer in LIC, including India. Conversely, high-income countries reported double the cancer-related deaths than those caused by CVDs. This pattern implies a shift in the primary causes of death within the middle-age group in economically affluent nations.
Cardiovascular Disease in Numbers
| Cause of Death | Low-Income Countries | High-Income Countries |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiovascular Diseases | 3x Deaths from Cancer | Less Than Deaths from Cancer |
| Cancer | Less than Cardiovascular Diseases | 2x Deaths from CVDs |
Forward Movement: Averting the Crisis
In light of these findings, it is evident that health policies need to address the risk factors contributing immensely to global CVDs and related deaths. More targeted measures should be implemented in countries where specific risks play a colossal role.
Crucial actions include eliminating indoor pollution and ensuring medical insurance for all individuals, thereby removing financial hindrances to accessing health services. Prompt actions on these fronts can significantly mitigate the rise of CVDs and safeguard numerous lives from this silent killer.