Volume 9 Number 1 2025
Global Burden, Risk Factors, and Evidence-Based Strategies for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention: A Comprehensive Systematic Review
Sanad Shujaaa Alanzi 1, Sulaiman Mohammed Abdullah Almayouf 1, Khaled Mohamed Nabil Alotaibi 2, Amer Obelk Attya Alanazi 2, Alsahli, Hassan Ghuwayzi 3, Omar Nashmi Alharbi 1, Obaid Hamlan Obaid Aldajani 1
Journal of Angiotherapy 9 (1) 1-8 https://doi.org/10.25163/angiotherapy.8110348
Submitted: 18 November 2024 Revised: 15 January 2025 Published: 16 January 2025
Abstract
Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of global mortality, responsible for approximately 17.9 million deaths annually. The rising prevalence of CVD poses significant challenges, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where healthcare resources are constrained. Understanding regional disparities, risk factors, and effective prevention strategies is critical to reducing CVD burden. Methods: This systematic review synthesized evidence from epidemiological, clinical, and public health literature published between 2015 and 2024. Data were retrieved from PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases using keywords including “cardiovascular disease,” “prevention,” “public health interventions,” “risk factors,” and “global health.” Studies were selected based on methodological rigor, relevance, and quality. Discussion: The review highlights significant regional variation in CVD burden, with the highest mortality in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, while LMICs face disproportionate impacts due to limited healthcare access. Primary risk factors include hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, smoking, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, and obesity. Effective prevention requires multi-level strategies, including population-wide interventions (tobacco control, salt reduction, trans fat elimination, healthy food policies), high-risk individual interventions (risk assessment, polypill therapy, pharmacological management, cardiac rehabilitation), and health system strengthening (integration into primary care, task-shifting, workforce capacity building). Community programs, workplace initiatives, and digital health interventions further enhance reach and sustainability. Population-level strategies demonstrate high cost-effectiveness, with QALY gains ranging from $500 to $5,000. Implementation challenges include limited resources, workforce shortages, policy inertia, industry opposition, low health literacy, and socioeconomic inequities. Conclusion: Comprehensive, multi-level CVD prevention strategies combining population-based and individual-level interventions, supported by strong health systems, policy enforcement, and community engagement, are essential to reducing the global burden of CVD and achieving sustainable improvements in cardiovascular health.
Keywords: cardiovascular disease, prevention, public health, global health, risk factors, epidemiology, health systems, policy interventions, digital health, cost-effectiveness
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