Short answers, pulled from the story.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, claiming 17.9 million lives in 2015 alone. This class of diseases encompasses everything from heart attacks to strokes and silently damages the heart and blood vessels.
Fatty streaks appear in the aortas and coronary arteries of youths as young as seven to nine years old. This process begins in childhood and leads to the narrowing of coronary arteries due to atherosclerosis.
Men are about 50% more likely to develop cardiovascular disease and are typically diagnosed seven to ten years earlier than women. This disparity is rooted in hormonal differences, with estrogen providing a protective effect until menopause.
Up to 90% of cardiovascular disease may be preventable if established risk factors are avoided. The prevention revolution is built on a foundation of lifestyle changes including healthy eating, regular exercise, and the avoidance of tobacco smoke.
Over 80% of all global deaths caused by cardiovascular diseases occur in low- and middle-income countries. By 2030, over 23 million people are expected to die from cardiovascular diseases each year with 60% of the world's burden occurring in the South Asian subcontinent.