According to the World Health Organization in 2021, globally 7 of the 10 leading causes of death were noncommunicable diseases, and together they accounted for 68% of the top-10 causes.
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.
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.
