Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs)
Context: The share of Indians dying from cardiovascular diseases and diabetes has surged, while deaths from malaria, diarrhoea, tuberculosis, and perinatal conditions have declined.
Important Pointers:
Definition: CVDs encompass disorders of the heart and blood vessels, including coronary heart disease, stroke, rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism.
Leading Cause of Death: CVDs are the number one cause of death globally, responsible for nearly 17.9 million deaths annually, according to WHO.
Indian Context: In India, CVDs account for 28% of all deaths, making them the leading cause of mortality.
Types of CVDs:
Coronary heart disease (disease of blood vessels supplying the heart muscle)
Cerebrovascular disease (stroke)
Rheumatic heart disease (damage to heart valves from rheumatic fever)
Congenital heart disease (birth defects)
Risk Factors: Major behavioral risk factors include unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and harmful use of alcohol.
Biological Risk Factors: These behaviors lead to raised blood pressure, blood sugar, blood lipids, and overweight/obesity.
Silent Progression: CVDs often progress silently, a heart attack or stroke may be the first warning of an underlying disease.
Prevention Measures: WHO recommends population-wide strategies like promoting physical activity, reducing salt intake, tobacco control, and improving access to health services.
Government Initiatives in India:
NPCDCS: National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases & Stroke.
Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centres provide screening and management of CVDs.
WHO’s Approach: WHO India supports national programs, policy frameworks, and technical assistance to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases including CVDs.