NCD Watch

Cardiovascular Diseases

21 September 2023 (Wed)

Cardiovascular diseases are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels. They include coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease/stroke, peripheral arterial disease, rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, etc.. Globally, cardiovascular diseases are the number one killer.

In Hong Kong, cardiovascular diseases are a major cause of mortality and morbidity. In 2022, there were 10 665 registered deaths attributed to cardiovascular diseases. Based on the Framingham Risk Model adapted for local use, the Population Health Survey 2020-22 appraised that 18.4% of land-based non-institutional persons aged 40–70 were classified as high-risk with cardiovascular risk 20% or more over the next 10 years. While 37.6% of persons aged 40–70 with high cardiovascular risk received both drug therapy and counselling to prevent heart attack and strokes, 28.1% of persons with high cardiovascular risk did not receive any drug therapy or counselling.

To guard against cardiovascular diseases, members of the public are urged to lead a healthy lifestyle that includes eating a balanced diet and limiting the consumption of fat, salt and sugar; engaging in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity (such as brisk walking) or an equivalent amount of physical activity throughout the week; reducing the time spent being sedentary; saying no to tobacco; and refraining from alcohol drinking. Apart from healthy living, the general public should seek medical advice when necessary for health assessments, prompt disease detection and timely management.

The Department of Health will continue organising health promotional campaigns using a variety of strategies to increase people’s health literacy and enhance public awareness about the importance of healthy living in preventing cardiovascular diseases, as well as working in close partnership with other government bureaux/departments and community partners to foster a health-enhancing environment.

Source: NCD Watch September 2023