Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a class of diseases that affect the heart or blood vessels (veins and arteries). It can be caused by a combination of socio-economic, behavioural, and environmental risk factors, including high blood pressure, unhealthy diet, high cholesterol, diabetes, air pollution, obesity, tobacco use, kidney disease, physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol and stress. Family history, ethnic background, sex, and age can also affect a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease.²

KEY FACTS

• Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally.¹
• An estimated 19.8 million people died from CVDs in 2022, representing approximately 32% of all global deaths. Of these deaths, 85% were due to heart attack and stroke.¹
• Approximately 80% of the world's deaths from CVDs occur in low- and middle-income countries.¹
• It is estimated that up to 50% of CVD could be prevented through early detection.³
•  Access to noncommunicable disease medicines and basic health technologies in all primary health care facilities is essential to ensure that those in need receive treatment and counselling.¹

SOURCE

1. World Health Organization. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Geneva: World Health Organization; 2025 Jul 31. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds)
2. World Heart Federation. Home – World Heart Federation. Geneva: World Heart Federation. Available from: https://world-heart-federation.org/
3. European Society of Cardiology. European Society of Cardiology. Sophia Antipolis (France): European Society of Cardiology. Available from: https://www.escardio.org/