The Adverse Effects of Wealth on Cardiovascular Health: A Scientific Statement of the International College of Cardiology
R. B. Singh *
International College of Cardiology, Society Registered in Slovakia, Slovakia
K. Hristova
International College of Cardiology, Society Registered in Slovakia, Slovakia
V. V. Muthusamy
International College of Cardiology, Society Registered in Slovakia, Slovakia
S. S. Rastogi
International College of Cardiology, Society Registered in Slovakia, Slovakia
T. K. Basu
International College of Cardiology, Society Registered in Slovakia, Slovakia
E. Toda
Department of Cardiology, Tokai University Hachioji Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
T. Takahashi
Department of Nutrition, Graduate School of Human Environment Science, Fukuoka Women’s University, Japan
J. Fedacko
Department of Sports Medicine, PJ Safaric University, Kosice, Slovakia
D. Pella
Department of Sports Medicine, PJ Safaric University, Kosice, Slovakia
F. De Meester
Department of Food and Nutrition, The Tsim Tsoum Institute, Krakow, Poland
D. W. Wilson
Department of Statistics, School of Medicine Pharmacy and Health, Durham University, UK
R. N. Mondal
Department of Cardiology, Hypertension Research Center, Rangpur, Bangladesh
M. Ishaq
Department of Internal Medicine, Pakistan Hypertension League, Pakistan
M. R. Mohideen
Department of Internal Medicine, Sri Lankan Hypertension Society, Sri Lanka
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background and Aims: Increase in economic status may be associated with increased consumption of Western type of foods and sedentary behaviour. In the present review, we discuss that increase in wealth may be associated with adverse effects on health behaviour.
Study Design and Methods: Internet search and discussion with colleagues.
Results: Review of studies indicate that with increase in wealth, there is increased consumption of high fat, ready prepared foods and decrease in physical activity in most of the countries resulting in obesity and metabolic syndrome, leading to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and other chronic conditions. Many experts during the United Nations High Level Meeting in Sept 2011, misinterpreted the WHO estimates and proposed that, of total deaths, 22·4 million arise in the poorest countries, and 13.7 million in high-income and upper-middle-income countries and therefore poverty may be the major cause of deaths due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). A recent study shows that 57.0 % of deaths in adults (aged 25-64 years) were due to CVDs and other chronic diseases, 25.5% due to communicable diseases and 15.9% due to injury and accidents. The deaths due to NCDs were highly prevalent among higher social classes compared to lower social classes who had greater deaths due to communicable diseases. It is interesting to know from new data from United States, that there is ‘Wealth’ without cardiovascular health in America. The whole world is likely to have the same scenario in the near future.
Conclusions: Increase in wealth may be associated with altered health behaviour; greater consumption of unhealthy foods, tobacco consumption, mental load and sedentary behaviour resulting in increased risk of deaths due to CVDs and other chronic diseases which may change with knowledge about health education. Wealth may cause extension in life by buying of expensive drug therapy, intervention and surgery which are known to add income and employment in the west.
Keywords: Deaths, diet and lifestyle, heart disease, non-communicable diseases