Can we prevent cardiovascular diseases in low- and middle-income countries?

Ischaemic heart disease, the largest cause of death worldwide, is rapidly b ecoming 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 death s from cardiovascular diseases. A dual approach is recommended: screening a nd intervening in cases of relatively high risk, while fostering population -wide preventive activities. This is both feasible and affordable. Now is t he time to make such efforts.