Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are now the number one cause of death in low- and middle-income countries, including those in Central Asia (CA). Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) bear a disproportionate and growing burden of CVD, which constitutes a challenge to national development. CVD account for more than 43% of cases of disability and 9.0% of cases of temporary disability in many developing countries. The high burden of CVD oftentimes results from insufficient preventive care and a lack of education about the prevention and treatment of these diseases. The rapidly growing burden of CVD and other major non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is a global public health threat, especially in Central Asia. Information on cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes, tobacco use, and alcohol use, is traditionally obtained from studies conducted in Europe and North America, which limits our understanding of these factors in Central Asia. In this review, we collected all published information on CVD in Central Asia from 2000 to 2015, which included the websites of the Ministries of Health, the World Health Organization, PubMed, and other published sources. This narrative review describes CVD burden, stroke incidence, and common CVD risk factors in the five post-Soviet countries of Central Asia (Kazakshstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan).

Highlights

  • Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the number one cause of death in low- and middle-income countries, including those in Central Asia (CA)

  • Information on cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes, tobacco use, and alcohol use are traditionally derived from studies conducted in Europe and North America

  • Ischemic heart disease and stroke are major causes of premature mortality, and the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors is high within the CA population

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Summary

Conclusions

NCDs, and CVD, present a challenge for the CA. Ischemic heart disease and stroke are major causes of premature mortality, and the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors is high within the CA population. Reduction in salt consumption in CA countries is important for the reduction of CVD, especially for stroke. The high prevalence of elevated blood pressure is of great concern due to the fact that some with elevated blood pressure may be unaware of their condition. Such persons should be followed up and advised to utilize existing primary and secondary prevention opportunities. Certain levels of alcohol consumption that lower risk for CHD may increase it for other CV conditions, such as stroke. Addition, data from studies using new research methods, including Mendelian randomization, suggest that the relationship between low-to-moderate alcohol 8. We believe that the problem of obesity and diabetes deserves close attention from the regional institutions, WHO, and other international organizations

14. References
31. Non-Communicable Disease Country Profile
37. WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco
40. Health of the population and the effectiveness of
Findings
53. Tobacco control database for the WHO
Full Text
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