Five Facts about cardiovascular disease

pharmafile | August 9, 2026 | Feature | Medical Communications |  Five Facts, HRT, cardiovascular disease, cvd 

1

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is an umbrella term for conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels, including coronary heart disease, stroke, heart failure and peripheral arterial disease. It remains the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for almost one in three deaths globally.1

2

Although cardiovascular disease is often associated with older age, many cases are preventable. Major risk factors include high blood pressure, raised cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity and unhealthy diets. Early diagnosis and lifestyle changes can significantly reduce risk.2

3

Around 8 million people in the UK are living with heart and circulatory diseases. Together, these conditions account for around one in four UK deaths, with coronary heart disease remaining the country’s single biggest killer.3

4

Advances in treatment have transformed outcomes over recent decades. Improvements in emergency care, minimally invasive procedures, implantable devices, medicines and cardiac rehabilitation mean many people now survive heart attacks and live longer with cardiovascular disease than ever before.4

5

Mechanical circulatory support has advanced rapidly over the past two decades. Total artificial hearts and left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are extending survival for patients with end-stage heart failure while research continues towards fully implantable artificial hearts and more personalised cardiovascular treatments.5

References:

  1. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-%28cvds%29?utm
  2. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cardiovascular-disease/?utm
  3. https://www.bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/news-from-the-bhf/contact-the-press-office/facts-and-figures?utm
  4. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cardiovascular-disease/?utm
  5. https://professional.heart.org/en/science-news/2026-heart-disease-and-stroke-statistics?utm
The Pharmafile Brief

This article featured in: August 2026 – The Pharmafile Brief

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