CARDIOVASCULAR

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the number 1 cause of death globally, taking an estimated 17.9 million lives each year. CVDs are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels and include coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, rheumatic heart disease and other conditions. Four out of 5CVD deaths are due to heart attacks and strokes, and one third of these deaths occur prematurely in people under 70 years of age. (World Health Organization)

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In Trinidad and Tobago:

 

• Cardiovascular disease (heart attack and stroke) is the leading cause of premature death in both men (30%) and women

• Ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and cerebrovascular diseases (strokes) are the major causes of cardiovascular diseases.

• Major risk factors include tobacco use, high cholesterol, hypertension and physical inactivity