• CVDs are the number one cause of death globally: more people die annually from CVDs than from any other cause.
• An estimated 17.1 million people died from CVDs in 2004, representing 29%of all global deaths. Of these deaths, an estimated 7.2 million were due to coronary heart disease and 5.7 million were due to stroke.
• Low- and middle-income countries are disproportionally affected: 82% of CVD deaths take place in low- and middle-income countries and occur almost equally in men and women.
• By 2030, almost 23.6 million people will die from CVDs, mainly from heart disease and stroke. These are projected to remain the single leading causes of death. The largest percentage increase will occur in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. The largest increase in number of deaths will occur in the South-East Asia Region.

(Source: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs317/en/index.html)

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the most important behavioural risk factors of heart disease and stroke are unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and tobacco use. Behavioural risk factors are responsible for about 80% of coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease. The effects of unhealthy diet and physical inactivity may show up in individuals as raised blood pressure, raised blood glucose, raised blood lipids, and overweight and obesity.

CVDs poses imminent threat to India as India is already the country with the dubious distinction of the larges numbers of CVD cases. It is perhaps one of those typical paradoxes that signify India- the double burden of under-nutrition and obesity. WHO states that at least 60% of the world’s population leads a sedentary life failing to complete the recommended amount of physical activity required to induce health benefits. Physical inactivity is ranked as the fourth leading risk factor for all deaths globally, contributing to 1.9 million deaths each year (Source: http://www.who.int/en/).

This is partly due to insufficient participation in physical activity and an increase in sedentary behaviour during occupational and domestic activities. Effective public health measures are urgently needed to improve physical activity behaviours in all populations. At present, it might appear to be a luxury to think about CVD in the context of apparently more immediate health problems, it is important to note threat CVD is the biggest killer in India and perhaps also one of the most silent. Given that, public health measure cannot afford to ignore CVD. It is also a challenge because in many cases, the link between CVD and healthy lifestyle including a regular health check-up is missed resulting in CVD catching people unawares. Also, given that people are unable to access basic health even during illness, spending for health check ups without any apparent discomfort is not something that most of India can afford. That makes it all the more for communication on health to include messages on diet, physical activity, reduced smoking etc making clear the link with CVD.

How can the awareness about CVDs be inculcated?