Heart diseases are the leading cause of death in Moldova, accounting for almost 57% of the total deaths, the National Public Health Agency said in connection with World Heart Day that is marked on September 29, IPN reports.

According to the Agency, even if the number of deaths from cardiovascular diseases decreases slowly, it remains rather high. A number of 676 cases of death per 100,000 people were recorded in 2007, while in 2017 the ratio was of 605 to 100,000. Most of the deaths were caused by ischemic heart diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, acute myocardial infarction and hypertensive heart diseases.

There are a number of risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases and strokes. Among these are diabetes, age, arterial hypertension, physical inactivity, unhealthy diets, smoking, level of cholesterol and obesity. Specialists say the burden of cardiovascular diseases can be reduced only if the persons can assume control over the health of their own heart.

The authorities should realize the scale of the problem and should become involved by making investments in surveying cardiovascular diseases. Tobacco control policies, taxes for reducing consumption of fatty foods, sugar and salt and strategies for decreasing alcohol use and promoting a healthy lifestyle in children’s institutions are needed.

Cardiovascular diseases take the lives of 17.7 million people every year globally. About 80% of the global population is from countries with low and middle incomes.