Cardiovascular Health Care in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

ardiovascular disease (CVD) accounts for ≈18 million deaths annually worldwide, 1 with major disparities between low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) and high-income countries.LMICs contribute a greater share to the global burden of CVDs, with these conditions being responsible for 80% of all cardiovascular deaths worldwide. 1A greater reason for concern is the fact that premature deaths correspond to around half of all deaths in developing countries.Between 2008 and 2017, high-income countries contributed 81.1% of the global CVD research output and accounted for 8.1% and 8.5% of global CVD disability-adjusted life-year losses and death rates, respectively. 2In the same period, LMICs contributed 2.8% of the research output and accounted for 59.5% and 57.1% of global CVD disability-adjusted life-year losses and death rates, respectively. 2VD burden is determined by diverse conditions, ranging from hypertension and ischemic heart disease to persisting infection-related diseases (eg, rheumatic heart disease, Chagas disease, HIV-related cardiopathy) that affect the fragile economy and health systems in LMICs.Increase in life expectancy and exposure to cardiometabolic risk factors lead to growing trends in incidence and mortality related to ischemic heart disease and stroke.Outdoor air pollution and indoor exposure to biomass fuel smoke potentially contribute to right heart failure, particularly in women and nonsmokers.Poor health literacy, low access to health facilities, shortage of trained health providers, and weak health care and research infrastructure hamper prevention, early diagno-The American Heart Association celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2024.