Cardiovascular diseases in the developing world and its cost-effective management

At the beginning of the 20th century, cardiovasculardisease (CVD) was responsible for fewer than 10 % of all deaths worldwide. Today, that figure is about 30%, with 80 % of the burden now occurring in developing countries (Figure 1). In 2001, CVD was the No. 1 cause of death worldwide.1–3 This article reviews the epidemiological tran-sition that has made CVD the leading cause of death in the world, assesses the status of the transition by region, and shows the regional differences in the burden of CVD. Furthermore, this article reviews the economic burden placed on developing countries by CVD and the very limited resources available for its management. Finally, the cost-effectiveness of various interventions addressing the most relevant causes of CVD morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa and the other developing regions is reviewed. The focus is primarily on ischemic heart disease (IHD)