Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Lien Huong said that the death rate from cardiovascular disease is increasing in low- and middle-income countries, including Vietnam, which is worrisome.

In the world, this disease claims nearly 19 million lives; accounting for more than 44% of deaths from non-communicable diseases, representing 31% of total global deaths.

In Vietnam, the mortality rate from cardiovascular diseases is very high. "For every 100 people who die, there are 33 cases caused by cardiovascular disease," she said.

Unhealthy factors such as smoking, alcohol abuse, improper eating, lack of physical activity... are all risk factors for increased cardiovascular disease.

Dr. Pham Manh Hung, Vice President of the Vietnam Society of Cardiology, said that in high-income countries, the death rate from cardiovascular disease has decreased by 60% in the past 60 years. Meanwhile, in low- and middle-income countries (including Vietnam), this rate has increased to 20% in just 20 years.

In high-income countries, there are 5 million deaths from cardiovascular disease, half that of low- and middle-income countries, Dr. Hung cited the World Heath Organization’s (WHO) statistics in 2010. In 2019, 75% of cardiovascular deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries.

The Deputy Minister of Health emphasized that most cardiovascular diseases are effectively prevented and treated through adjusting unhealthy lifestyles such as quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, increasing exercise and do not abuse alcohol.

Assoc. Prof. Pham Manh Hung emphasized that prevention of cardiovascular disease must be a cross-cutting process because "anyone can suffer from cardiovascular disease".

Vo Thu