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.