Ischaemic Heart Disease

Ischaemic Heart Disease claims ~8.9 million lives annually, making it the deadliest condition worldwide and responsible for 16% of all global deaths. It kills more people than all cancers combined and significantly outpaces the second-ranked cause, Stroke, by over 2.7 million deaths per year. Key risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, and obesity, with 80% of premature deaths preventable through lifestyle changes. This data highlights a stark contrast with lower respiratory infections (#4), which are preventable with vaccines and antibiotics, underscoring the chronic nature of heart disease.