Cardiovascular disease, once a problem primarily in affluent societies, has crept across the globe, becoming the leading cause of death even in countries that are less wealthy. Is history repeating itself?
In a dramatic shift over the last few decades, heart disease has gone from being a condition largely affecting the well-off to a global epidemic. It’s now responsible for 30 percent of all deaths in low and middle-income countries. And a staggering 80 percent of heart-related fatalities worldwide occur in these areas.
Why is this happening?
It’s a mix of cultural change and modern problems. The ‘westernization’ of diets, dwindling levels of physical activity, escalating obesity rates, and surging tobacco use are becoming more common as countries industrialize and urbanize.
Take China for example – a country with a population of 1.34 billion and a rich history stretching back thousands of years. Up until recently, infectious diseases were the primary health concern, but now cardiovascular diseases have taken over as the leading killer among middle-aged folks in China. The significant changes in lifestyle – poor diet, lack of exercise, and high tobacco consumption – are taking their toll.
Compare that to the situation in the United States, a superpower since World War II but also highly prevalent in heart disease cases. Each year, one million Americans are struck down by heart conditions, with heart disease reigning as the number one cause of death.
But the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reveals heart disease doesn’t strike equally—it’s far more devastating in America’s poorer states and neighborhoods. This discrepancy in heart disease prevalence is likely due to differences in cultural norms, economic challenges, poverty, and isolation.
So what can be done to ward off heart disease?
The answer lies in taking charge of our health and environment. We can choose nutritious, whole foods over processed options, include regular physical activity in our routines, manage stress effectively, avoid smoking, and pursue healthy social interactions. Watching our weight is also key to setting a heart-healthy example.
While cardiovascular diseases continue to wreak havoc around the globe, following simple, natural methods to maintain good heart health can make a considerable difference for people everywhere. It’s up to each individual to adopt a lifestyle that keeps the heart beating strong and potentially turn the tide of this growing global epidemic.
