ABSTRACT
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels leading often to serious events, including heart attacks and strokes. Heart attacks and strokes are usually acute events and are mainly caused by a blockage that prevents blood from flowing to the heart or brain. The most common reason for this is atherosclerosis, i.e., a buildup of fatty deposits on the inner walls of the blood vessels that supply the heart or brain. CVD remains the number one cause of death globally [1] and is projected to remain the single leading cause of death [2]. If appropriate action is not taken, by 2030, an estimated 23.3 million people will die from CVD every year, mainly from heart attacks and strokes. In addition to this, CVD bears a substantial financial burden, especially in low-and middle-income countries. Over the period 2011-2025, the cumulative lost output in low-and middle-income countries associated with CVD is estimated to be US$3.76 trillion [3].
