The Worldwide Stroke Epidemic
Over one quarter of deaths worldwide are the result of ischemic heart disease and stroke, and the problem is getting worse because the stroke and heart attack rates are highest in low- and middle-income countries, where most of the world population resides.
Several factors are to blame: poor access to care; an aging world population; urbanization (more than one half of the world's population now lives in cities) that leads to a sedentary lifestyle and access to processed foods; increasing obesity rates; and a high prevalence of smoking . Moreover, between 25% and 50% of adults worldwide have hypertension, and most are untreated.
Public health measures that promote healthy diets and physical activity, and access to high-quality and affordable primary care, are a cornerstone to stem the stroke epidemic.
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