Genesis and Progress in Concepts of Preventive Cardiology: A Historical Overview

Diseases of the heart and vascular system, although known since antiquity, are basically a malady of modern times. The understanding of structure and function of the heart reveal that the diseases affecting this system, referred to as cardiovascular diseases (CVD), are varied and have multifactorial aetiology. Since the last decade, CVD emerged as the leading cause of death worldwide which can be associated with the force of globalization. Rampant increase in industrialization, urbanization, unhealthy diet, sedentary life style, obesity and tobacco addiction resulted in the epidemic of heart diseases. Consequently the burden on national health care machinery has increased considerably. Although treatment facilities have improved immensely, it is still inadequate and over expensive. As a result it is becoming difficult to control the premature death and debility due to CVD. Epidemiological studies and risk factor assessment of CVD have provided evidence based support for the feasibility of implementing preventive strategies for this group of diseases in recent times, which were earlier considered only for communicable diseases. In the present study an attempt has been made to trace the genesis of the concept of CVD prevention and follow its development to a new branch of medicine termed “Preventive Cardiology” which specifically concentrates on protection and maintenance of health of the heart and vascular system.