HEARTS technical package for cardiovascular disease management in primary health care: risk based CVD management

Development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is influenced by risk factors such as: tobacco use, an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, obesity (which can result from a combination of unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and other factors), elevated blood pressure (hypertension), abnormal blood lipids (dyslipidaemia) and elevated blood glucose (diabetes mellitus). Continuing exposure to these risk factors leads to further progression of atherosclerosis, resulting in clinical manifestations of these diseases, including angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, heart failure and stroke. Total CVD risk depends on the individual’s overall risk-factor profile.