Call for stepped-up action on world’s top killer

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Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer around the world according new rankings from the World Health Organization and two Canadian doctors are calling for more action to prevent it and resulting complications like heart attack and stroke.

Anti-smoking campaigns, control of high blood pressure and cholesterol and various improvements in heart surgery have all made important progress in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. But other issues loom which could mean the current generation will be the first with a shorter life expectancy than the one before.

Unhealthy diet, including fast food, and an absence of physical activity are leading to increased rates of obesity and Type-2 diabetes leading to cardiovascular disease.

These lead to repeated hospitalizations and a serious impact on quality of life. They also lead to dementias.

Largest cost in health care

Cardiovascular disease is the largest cost driver in Canada’s health care system, notes Dr. Jean-Claude Tardif, a cardiologist and director of the research centre at the Montreal Heart Institute.

Although smoking cessation campaigns have been successful he points out that tobacco companies have responded by marketing to young people and to people in developing countries. He argues for increased efforts to counter these strategies.

Heart-healthy diets with increased intake of fruit and vegetables must be promoted, he says, and we have to increase the level of physical activity.

Medical research should make advances in medication and refined surgical techniques and advanced genetics could help customize treatment for individual patients.

“We know that the most refined medical and surgical techniques and the research will be important but will not be enough,” said Tardif. “It needs to be combined with societal approaches convincing people to eat better, to move more, to check their weight.”