Cardiovascular health in low- and middle-income countries

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Cardiology
• Global Health

Background:

• The American Heart Association (AHA) defined cardiovascular health (CVH) using 7 key metrics: 3 health behaviors (diet, physical activity, tobacco use) and 4 health factors (body weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose).
• The AHA aimed to improve CVH by 20% by 2020, emphasizing measurement, monitoring, and messaging.
• The current status of CVH in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) remains under-documented.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the definition and measurement of CVH.
• To analyze recent trends in CVH metrics within LMICs.
• To explore strategies for enhancing CVH in LMICs.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on CVH definition, measurement, trends, and improvement strategies.
• Analysis of existing data and research on CVH metrics in LMICs.
• Synthesis of information on the current state of cardiovascular health behaviors and factors in LMICs.

Main Results:

• The review outlines the established definition of CVH by the AHA.
• It discusses methodologies for assessing and tracking CVH in LMICs.
• Recent trends and potential strategies for improving CVH in these regions are presented.

Conclusions:

• There is a need for better documentation and understanding of CVH in LMICs.
• Implementing targeted strategies is crucial for improving cardiovascular health outcomes in these populations.
• Further research and interventions are required to address the growing burden of cardiovascular disease in LMICs.