The world’s leading cause of deaths is ischaemic heart disease, responsible for 13% of the world’s total deaths. Ischemic heart disease or coronary artery disease (CAD) ( in the chart) is a condition where the arteries that supply blood to the heart (coronary arteries) become narrowed or blocked. This reduces blood flow to the heart muscle, leading to a lack of oxygen and nutrients (ischemia). This is caused by Atherosclerosis: The buildup of plaque (fatty deposits) in the coronary arteries, Inflammation of the arteries (vasculitis), and Blood clots.

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Kidney disease and heart disease often develop together. Even early kidney damage raises the risk for cardiovascular disease, which includes heart disease, heart failure and stroke. Studies show that 3 in 5 people with early-stage kidney disease also have cardiovascular disease yet as many as 9 in 10 U.S. adults with chronic kidney disease do not know they have it.