As world heart day is celebrated on the 29th of September it is noted that heart disease is the world’s leading cause of death claiming 18.6 million lives each year, and on the positive, at least 80% of premature deaths from heart disease and stroke could be avoided, claims the world heart foundation
In Sri Lanka the statistics on heart disease are alarming. The Incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in Sri Lanka has doubled over the past two decades.
According to data released by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2018, over 22.6% of deaths in Sri Lanka are caused by cardiovascular diseases.
Three main risk factors which increase the chances of mortality from heart disease have been identified: hypertension, high blood cholesterol, and tobacco smoking.