Preventing coronary heart disease
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is one of the leading causes of disease burden worldwide. It is decreasing in many developed countries, but is increasing in developing and transitional countries, partly as a result of increasing longevity, urbanization, and lifestyle changes.
CHD is the most common cause of premature death in the UK. About one fifth (19%) of premature deaths in men and one in ten (10%) premature deaths in women were from CHD. CHD caused almost 31,000 premature deaths in the UK in 2006.
A heart attack occurs when the blood vessels supplying the heart muscle become blocked, starving it of oxygen, leading to the heart muscle’s failure or death.
In developed countries, at least one-third of all cardiovascular disease (coronary heart disease and stroke) is attributable to five risk factors: tobacco use, alcohol use, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity. Poor diet (too few fruit and vegetables and a high saturated fat intake), lack of physical activity and diabetes are also major modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
(Source: WHO Atlas of Heart Disease and Stroke) http://www.who.int/cardiovascular_diseases/resources/atlas/en/
Prevention strategies for both coronary heart disease and stroke must aim to create the conditions in which populations have access to a healthy diet, are able to incorporate physical activity into their daily lives, avoid harmful drinking and do not smoke. Because the key risk factors for CVD all develop over the life course, and most originate during childhood, prevention must start in early life with a strong public health focus on child health and well-being.
