Saturday, October 5, 2013

Cardiovascular diseases in women & children

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the number one cause of deaths worldwide, accounting for 17.3 million deaths. Over 80% of these deaths take place in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). By 2030, 23.6 million people are predicted to die from CVD which places a burden on national economies.
Women have an important role to play as gatekeepers of the family and guardians of health, especially in lower and middle-income countries, where eight out of 10 CVD-related deaths occur. We are urging all women to adopt heart-healthy behaviours. Taking action to prevent exposure to risk factors will have a positive impact on children, as they learn by example.