Editorial: Global excellence in cardiovascular medicine: Central and South America
Journal
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine
ISSN
2297-055X
Date Issued
2024-06-17
Abstract
In the last decades Central and South America have experienced rapid changes in lifestyle resulting in a higher burden of cardiometabolic risk factors and a greater contribution of non-communicable diseases to mortality and morbidity. Recently, the results of a large prospective study conducted in South America showed that over two-thirds of deaths in the region were due to either cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer, or respiratory diseases.
Only modest differences in the incidence of CVD were observed between countries . In all countries, men experienced higher rates of CVD and death compared with women. Deaths were also consistently higher in rural areas across all countries. Incident CVD was largely attributable to 12 modifiable risk factors, with metabolic risk factors being the most prevalent.
The largest population-attributable fractions (PAF) for CVD were hypertension, smoking, and abdominal obesity. Outdoor air pollution, an important risk factor for CVD, was not included.
Only modest differences in the incidence of CVD were observed between countries . In all countries, men experienced higher rates of CVD and death compared with women. Deaths were also consistently higher in rural areas across all countries. Incident CVD was largely attributable to 12 modifiable risk factors, with metabolic risk factors being the most prevalent.
The largest population-attributable fractions (PAF) for CVD were hypertension, smoking, and abdominal obesity. Outdoor air pollution, an important risk factor for CVD, was not included.