Abstract

LENFANT, Claude. Can we prevent cardiovascular diseases in low- and middle-income countries?. Bull World Health Organ [online]. 2001, vol.79, n.10, pp. 980-982. ISSN 0042-9686.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0042-96862001001000012.

Ischaemic heart disease, the largest cause of death worldwide, is rapidly becoming a major threat in low- and middle-income countries. Experience in a variety of populations has demonstrated that lowering certain risk factors, such as hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia, reduces illness and deaths from cardiovascular diseases. A dual approach is recommended: screening and intervening in cases of relatively high risk, while fostering population-wide preventive activities. This is both feasible and affordable. Now is the time to make such efforts.

Keywords : Cardiovascular diseases [prevention and control]; Cardiovascular diseases [drug therapy]; Myocardial ischemia [mortality]; Risk factors; Primary prevention; Developing countries.