Coronary artery disease in the developing world
Karen Okrainec1, Devi K Banerjee, Mark J Eisenberg
1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Insights
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is rising in developing nations, with risk factors like hypertension and diabetes increasing. Targeted prevention strategies are crucial to combat this growing epidemic and reduce cardiovascular mortality.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Epidemiology
- Global Health
- Preventive Cardiology
Background:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major global cause of cardiovascular mortality.
- Developing countries face a rapidly increasing burden of CAD and its associated risk factors.
- A significant rise in CAD mortality is projected for developing nations between 1990 and 2020.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing literature on CAD mortality and risk factor prevalence in developing countries.
- To examine current prevention and control measures for CAD in these regions.
- To highlight the growing public health challenge posed by CAD in the developing world.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive MEDLINE search was conducted for English-language literature from 1990 to 2002.
- Key search terms included "coronary artery disease," "developing countries," "prevalence," and "risk factors."
- Statistical data were sourced from The World Health Organization's database.
Main Results:
- Data on CAD prevalence in developing countries are limited but indicate a concerning trend.
- CAD mortality rates are projected to double by 2020, with most of the increase in developing nations.
- Socioeconomic growth accelerates exposure to CAD risk factors, including diabetes, hypertension, and smoking, with inadequate preventive measures.
Conclusions:
- Despite sparse data, an impending epidemic of coronary artery disease in developing countries is evident.
- Targeted prevention and control of CAD risk factors are essential.
- Implementing strategies used in industrialized nations can mitigate CAD's impact in developing regions.
Background:
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of cardiovascular mortality worldwide, with >4.5 million deaths occurring in the developing world. Despite a recent decline in developed countries, both CAD mortality and the prevalence of CAD risk factors continue to rise rapidly in developing countries. The objectives of the current article are to review (1) the literature regarding CAD mortality and the prevalence of CAD risk factors in the developing world, and (2) prevention and control measures.
Methods:
We conducted a MEDLINE search of the English language literature for the years 1990 to 2002 to identify articles pertaining to the prevalence of CAD in developing countries. The search was performed using the following key terms: coronary artery disease, developing countries, ischemic heart disease, incidence, prevalence, prevention and risk factors. We also obtained relevant statistical information from The World Health Organization's Internet database.
Results:
There is a paucity of data regarding CAD and its prevalence in the developing world. However, it is projected that CAD mortality rates will double from 1990 to 2020, with approximately 82% of the increase attributable to the developing world. Existing data suggest that rapid socioeconomic growth in developing countries is increasing exposure to risk factors for CAD, such as diabetes, genetic factors, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and smoking. There is a relative lack of prevention and control measures to decrease exposure to these risk factors in developing countries.
Conclusion:
Documented information on the prevalence of CAD in developing countries is sparse, but there is sufficient data to suggest an impending epidemic. Prevention and targeted control of risk factors for CAD could potentially reduce the impact of CAD in the developing world as it has in industrialized nations.
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