Global burden of cardiovascular diseases - Part II: Variations in cardiovascular disease by specific ethnic groups and geographic regions and prevention strategies

This two-part article provides an overview of the global burden of atheroth rombotic cardiovascular disease. Part I initially discusses the epidemiolog ical transition which has resulted in a decrease in deaths in childhood due to infections, with a concomitant increase in cardiovascular and other chr onic diseases; and then provides estimates of the burden of cardiovascular (CV) diseases with specific focus on the developing countries. Next, we sum marize key information on risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and indicate that their importance may have been underestimated. Then, we desc ribe overarching factors influencing variations in CVD by ethnicity and reg ion and the influence of urbanization. Part It of this article describes th e burden of CV disease by specific region or ethnic group, the risk factors of importance, and possible strategies for prevention.