The World Heart Federation (WHF) has issued today a global policy call to governments around the world to implement reliable and fit for purpose surveillance and monitoring systems for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in order to better prevent, treat and control the world’s biggest killer. 

CVD - including heart disease and stroke - is the leading cause of death globally, claiming 17.5 million lives each year. However, at least 80% of premature deaths from CVD could be avoided by addressing risk factors such as tobacco use, raised blood pressure and physical inactivity; and improving the use of simple treatments after a heart attack or stroke. 

“We are calling on governments to reinforce their commitment to preventing premature deaths by taking some key steps toward better surveillance of their populations", said Dr Salim Yusuf, WHF President.

The call to policymakers and governments has been made today by WHF at World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Hearts Initiative meeting and comes one week ahead of World Heart Day 2016 which will see the launch of the World Heart Federation’s policy brief executive summary, which identifies gaps and needs in global CVD monitoring and surveillance systems. 

Show your support for World Heart Day and help raise awareness of the need to reduce the number of deaths from CVD by tweeting @worldheartfed with your healthy heart selfie. 

Read full press release and the executive summary of the World Heart Day 2016 policy brief via the links below.