Reducing the global burden of ischemic heart disease and stroke: a challenge for the cardiovascular community and the United Nations.

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), which include cardiovascular diseases (CVD), cancer, diabetes mellitus, and chronic pulmonary disease, are the leading cause of global mortality accounting for 36 million (63%) of the 57 million deaths worldwide in 2008.1 Recognizing the global pandemic and burden of NCDs in a landmark decision, the United Nations has scheduled a high-level meeting on September 19 and 20, 2011 to determine priority actions and interventions in response to this crisis. The greatest increase in NCDs is in lowand middle-income countries whose resources for surveillance, prevention, and treatment are severely limited. Among NCDs, CVD is the leading cause of death, and ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke are the major contributors to CVD. Worldwide, 80% of deaths from CVD now occur in lowand middle-income countries.1 Thus, there is a special and urgent need for data and treatment strategies concerning CVD in lowand middleincome countries.