Preventive Cardiology: How can we reduce CVD risk?

An understanding of the importance of teaching preventive cardiology is essential if we wish to reduce the global incidence of CVD. We must be able to recognise and manage individuals at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease. We can then attempt to reduce their risk by lifestyle modification and use of appropriate medication. We need also to consider health inequalities & social determinants of health which are linked to poorer population outcomes. Currently, more than 36 million people worldwide die from NCDs each year. A number of NCDs, including CVD, cancer of lung, stomach, colon & possibly breast, diabetes and chronic respiratory disease (COPD) share one or more common predisposing risk factors, all related to lifestyle to some degree. The global financial burden of NCDs is staggering, with an estimated 2010, global cost of $6.3 trillion (US dollars) that is projected to increase to $13 trillion by 2030. The long term aim is to reduce the huge burden of cardiovascular disease in the UK, Europe & Worldwide in both developed and developing countries. How can we help people to change their behaviour & encourage them to modify their lifestyles?