Cardiovascular disease trends in Nepal – An analysis of global burden of disease data 2017

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of disease burden globally, disproportionately affecting low and middle-income countries. The continued scarcity of literature on CVDs burden in Nepal has thwarted efforts to develop population-specific prevention and management strategies. This article reports the burden of CVDs in Nepal including, prevalence, incidence, and disability basis as well as trends over the past two decades by age and gender. We used the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation’s Global Burden of Diseases database on cardiovascular disease from Nepal to describe the most recent data available (2017) and trends by age, gender and year from 1990 to 2017. Data are presented as percentages or as rates per 100,000 population. In 2017, CVDs contributed to 26·9% of total deaths and 12·8% of total DALYs in Nepal. Ischemic heart disease was the predominant CVDs, contributing 16·4% to total deaths and 7·5% to total DALYs. Cardiovascular disease incidence and mortality rates have increased from 1990 to 2017, with the burden greater among males and among older age groups. The leading risk factors for CVDs were determined to be high systolic blood pressure, high low density lipoprotein cholesterol, smoking, air pollution, a diet low in whole grains, and a diet low in fruit. CVDs are a major public health problem in Nepal contributing to the high DALYs with unacceptable numbers of premature deaths. There is an urgent need to address the increasing burden of CVDs and their associated risk factors, particularly high blood pressure, body mass index and unhealthy diet.

Awareness of Adult Basic Life Support among Graduates in a Medical College of Kathmandu

“…4 In Nepal, total deaths from CVDs have almost doubled from 1990 to 2017, making CVDs the most significant cause of death and Disability Adjusted Life Years lost. 5 Therefore, BLS technique should be essentially known by the community people, and mandatorily by the health care providers so that they can save lives in case of emergency. 6 Training for BLS should be provided to all personnel working in health sector.…”

Mortality estimates for WHO SEAR countries: problems and prospects

“…For instance, Nepal has attempted to use the IHME GBD estimates for 2017 to evaluate its national burden from various forms of cardiovascular disease, but as can be seen from table 1, there are moderate to high levels of variation for mortality from stroke and ischaemic heart disease, when compared with GHE estimates. 39 Similarly, India has used the GBD estimates to evaluate the impact of air pollution, although there are substantial differences in the estimated numbers of adult deaths as well as their causes which are related to exposure to air pollutants, from different sources. 40 41 The GBD estimates for Indonesia have been cited as evidence for its national road map towards universal health coverage, without taking into consideration the underlying uncertainty in these estimates for all causes of death.…”

Effects of intervention on lifestyle changes among coronary artery disease patients: A 6‐month follow‐up study

“…Since 2000, CAD-related death has been increased globally but especially in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) (WHO, 2020). More than 80% of cardiovascular disease deaths were in LMICs, and most cases are reported at an early age compared with high-income countries (Bowry et al, 2015).LMICs like Nepal are in the midst of a health crisis, resulting largely from limited preventative measures, unhealthy lifestyle choices and increased exposure to risk factors (Bhattarai et al, 2020;Gaziano et al, 2010). CAD is the number one cause of death in Nepal, accounting for 20.5% of the total deaths (WHO, 2021).…”

“…LMICs like Nepal are in the midst of a health crisis, resulting largely from limited preventative measures, unhealthy lifestyle choices and increased exposure to risk factors (Bhattarai et al, 2020;Gaziano et al, 2010). CAD is the number one cause of death in Nepal, accounting for 20.5% of the total deaths (WHO, 2021).…”

“…Diet low in whole grains, vegetables and fruits, smoking, alcohol consumption and low physical activity are the lifestyle choices of people in Nepal which are leading risk factors for CAD, contributing to higher incidence of CAD and unacceptable numbers of premature deaths (Bhattarai et al, 2020;Ghimire & Dhungana, 2018).…”