Cardiovascular
A preventable, leading cause of mortality and morbidity
Each year, nearly 17 million* deaths worldwide are as a result of cardiovascular disease CVD (particularly heart attacks and strokes), making CVD the leading cause of death. Research over the past two decades has led to greater clarity on how end-stage heart disease is caused.
*The World Health Report 2004; Ezzati M. Lancet 2003;362:271–280
Yach D, et al. New Engl J Med 2004;291:2616–2620
Information on cardiovascular disease
Half of CVD deaths are from coronary artery disease and one-third of CVD deaths are caused by stroke. WHO standardised data from several countries in the Middle East and Africa, regarding mortality from cardiovascular diseases, showed that the rates of CVD mortality in Africa and the Middle East are much higher versus western countries. Prevalence of CVD in the region corresponds to the prevalence of common risk factors for the disease which include smoking, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia and unhealthy lifestyle choices. Additionally, a lack of awareness regarding the risk factors, comorbidities and treatment solutions has added to the burden of the disease in the Middle East and North Africa.
Treating risk factors to decrease CVD susceptibility
The progression of CVD can be regarded as a continuum: from the onset of hypertension, increased low-density lipoproteins and type 2 diabetes, through to atherosclerosis and cardiac remodelling, to end-organ failure with resultant myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure and end-stage renal disease.
Treatment of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease is crucial to derailing the advancement of the disease, and as a result, can prevent comorbidities and mortality from CVD.
Based on the evidence that the risk of a cardiovascular event increases with the number of cardiovascular risk factors present, our products have been developed to treat risk factors and are aimed at prevention.
A prevalent disease in the MENA non-communicable category
Research on the prevalence, morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular disease in 22 countries from the Middle East and North Africa, resulted in hypertension emerging as the leading non-communicable disease, with shocking figures that were among the highest in the world. (Source: WHO-EMRO; World Hypertension League Report)
Lowering predisposition to cardiovascular complications
Limited awareness, and consequently, undiagnosed and untreated hypertension, has made the condition a primary risk factor for the leading causes of death in the region, cardiovascular disease and stroke. Evidence suggests that blood pressure that is even ‘moderately’ high can increase the risk of cardiovascular complications; anti-hypertensive treatment is therefore paramount to lowering the risk of morbidity and mortality.
The heart, the main blood vessels, the brain and the kidneys are the organs that are primarily at risk in hypertension. The goal of anti-hypertensive treatment is firstly, to lower blood pressure in order to prevent complications like heart attacks and strokes, and ultimately to reduce cardiovascular mortality.