Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. CVDs include diseases of the heart, vascular diseases of the brain and diseases of blood vessels. Caused by atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease are the most common forms of CVDs. Other less common forms of CVDs include rheumatic heart disease and congenital heart disease. A large percentage of CVDs is preventable through the reduction of behavioral risk factors such as tobacco use, physical inactivity and unhealthy diet. Dietary sodium reduction can alleviate the long-term risk of cardiovascular disease events. Statin therapy is an effective intervention in both the primary and secondary preventions of CVDs in those who are at high risk.