ESC Events In Asia Tackle Management Of Diabetes And Cardiovascular Disease

Medical News Today
30th October 2009




With the rapidly increasing problem of cardiovascular (CVD) disease in Asia Pacific (AP), there is an urgency to raise awareness of risk factors. The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) is addressing the need to develop and adopt an integrated approach to CVD management, through important events organised in the region.

CVD has become more prevalent in India and China than in all of the economically-developed countries in the world combined.1 The trend is particularly evident in the younger population; data shows a 15% increase in prescriptions of agents to manage cardiovascular risk factors in young adults.2 One of the greatest concerns is the development of type 2 diabetes, with up to 50% of deaths in diabetes patients related to CVD.3 Estimates predict diabetes will rise in South East Asia by more than 33% by 2025 the highest percentage increase around the globe.4

Furthermore, there is evidence to show that CV risk factors may have greater impact in Asian populations; for the same levels of systolic blood pressure Asian patients have a greater risk of developing coronary heart disease and stroke compared with Caucasians.5 The burden of CVD is predicted to severely impact healthcare systems the WHO estimates that China is likely to lose US $558 in national income as a result of rising heart disease, stroke and diabetes.4