Global burden of cardiovascular diseases - Part I: General considerations,the epidemiologic transition, risk factors, and impact of urbanization

This two-part article provides an overview of the global burden of atheroth rombotic cardiovascular disease. Part I initially discusses the epidemiolog ic transition which has resulted in a decrease in deaths in childhood due t o infections, with a concomitant increase in cardiovascular and other chron ic diseases; and then provides estimates of the burden of cardiovascular (C V) diseases with specific focus on the developing countries. Next, we summa rize key information on risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and i ndicate that their importance may have been underestimated. Then, we descri be overarching factors influencing variations in CVD by ethnicity and regio n and the influence of urbanization. Part II of this article describes the burden of CV disease by specific region or ethnic group, the risk factors o f importance, and possible strategies for prevention.