A new Harvard report presents preliminary data showing that taxing salt products or implementing industry reductions can lead to significant reductions in cardiovascular disease deaths. The study found that these strategies could save money by reducing healthcare costs associated with hypertension and CVD events.
A global study presented at the World Congress of Cardiology reveals that patients with rheumatic heart disease are not receiving necessary surgery or secondary prevention treatments. In Africa and India, only 41% of patients enrolled had received surgery, highlighting a dire lack of surgical services available in most centers.
A 25% increase in high blood pressure screening in 19 developing countries could reduce CVD events and deaths by up to 3%. The study found that only one-third of people with high blood pressure are aware of their condition, and even fewer receive treatment.
Two new studies presented at the World Congress of Cardiology show that coordinated screening and control programmes can identify patients with rheumatic heart disease (RHD) early, reducing treatment costs. In Uganda and Fiji, children were screened using a stethoscope and portable echocardiography machine, detecting 1.5% RHD cases.