INTRODUCTION TO CVD
Cardiovascular disease refers to a number of diseases that affect the heart itself and/or the blood vessel system. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death in Turkey and globally. More than 157.000 deaths were attributed to CVDs in Turkey in 2015.1 The risk of CVDs begins early in life: it may even start before birth during foetal development, and progress further during childhood. Certain factors play an important role in a person’s chances of developing CVDs and especially heart disease. These factors are called risk factors. Some risk factors can be changed, treated, or modified, and some cannot. Controlling as many as possible risk factors, starting in childhood, will help reduce your children’s risk of developing heart disease as an adult.
