Annually, 46% of deaths among Iranians are attributed to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). In other words, CVDs are the leading cause of mortality in the country, said Ahmad Kousha, head of the Health Ministry’s Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Center, on the occasion of World Heart Day (Sept. 29).
He pointed to the Health Ministry’s plans for prevention and control of CDVs and said a pilot project to screen for CVDs has been developed and will be implemented from next month in four cities in East Azarbaijan, West Azarbaijan, Kerman and Isfahan provinces, IRNA quoted him as saying.
Under the project, all individuals aged 35 to 70 years will be summoned to health centers where their blood pressure, blood glucose, smoking status, level of physical activity and family history of diseases will be checked, and a score indicating the risk for development of CVDs, will be given to each.
Individuals at high risk of developing CVDs will receive necessary counseling.
If successful, the project recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) will be implemented across the country by the end of the next year (March 2017).
Increased consumption of fast-foods, low fruit and vegetable intake, lack of physical activity are among the most important risk factors of the disease.
While intake of fruits and vegetables in diet can reduce risk factors, he said 85% of the people do not consume adequate fruits and vegetables, adding that, “the figure is not same in all the provinces.” Sistan-Baluchestan Province has the lowest rate of fruit and vegetable consumption.
Tobacco consumption is another major reason for CDVs. Currently, 11% of the population smokes cigarettes. Hookah smoking has also increased significantly among the youth, he added.
