Experts seek UN help for prevention of heart diseases

Eleven cardio-vascular organisations from the world have called on United Nations to include cardio-vascular diseases - that contribute to 30 percent of global deaths, more than all infectious and parasitic diseases combined - in the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

In a statement published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology and other cardiology journals, the global cardio-vascular disease task force has urged the United Nations to support efforts to curb the world-wide rise in non-communicable diseases including heart disease and stroke.

"We must cooperate and collaborate across sectors and disciplines to advance and affirm a positive return of investment in cardio-vascular health," the task force said in the statement.

"Only then will we influence countries and businesses to devote crucial resources to our collective goal, which is vital to human health and well-being across the world," it read.

It is estimated that during 2011-2025, the economic burden of non-communicable diseases will be $7 trillion globally, with cardio-vascular disease accounting for most of that expense.

"Prevention of cardio-vascular diseases through support of healthy diets and physical activity along with blood pressure control and anti-smoking efforts should be part of the UN's health goals in 2015," said William A. Zoghbi, co-chair of the task force and past president of American College of Cardiology.

The organisations are: World Heart Federation, African Heart Network, Asia Pacific Heart Network, Asian Pacific Society of Cardiology, American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, European Heart Network, European Society of Cardiology, InterAmerican Heart Foundation, InterAmerican Society of Cardiology and the Pan-African Society of Cardiology.