Featured article in: The Guatemala Times IOL - South Africa Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the world’s most lethal killers, claiming 17.3 million lives per year. This staggering statistic represents 30 percent of all global deaths per year according to the World Health Organization (WHO). By 2030, almost 23.6 million people will die from CVDs if comprehensive prevention and education programs are not implemented immediately. In partnership with WHO, the World Heart Federation organizes World Heart Day on 29 th September 2012. Awareness events are hosted in more than 100 countries and are focused on education of what cardiovascular disease is and how it can be treated and prevented. There are many risk factors for heart disease and stroke, including high blood pressure, cholesterol and even elevated the blood sugar levels common to diabetes. Other major contributing factors include physical inactivity, poor diet, o...
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