TIME TO FOCUS ON CV HEALTH (NOT CV DISEASE)


Laurence S. Sperling, M.D., Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA

Despite rapidly advancing technologies in the treatment of CV diseases the current status of healthcare economics and global epidemiologic trends related to non-communicable diseases are unsustainable. A healthcare transformation is needed with a greater focus on CV health promotion and disease prevention. Importantly, a better understanding of the definition of CV health is needed, in addition to tools and approaches to predict, promote, and impact CV health. At present ideal CV health is not prevalent. The need for comprehensive and complementary CV prevention programs focused on environmental and systems changes are needed. There are societal and systems challenges to overcome with the potential for significant impact.