Health Engineering Group

Of the many systems in the human body, the cardiovascular system makes a strong claim to being most important. It is certainly a major focus in the pharmaceutical industry, which rakes in $70 billion globally in annual sales for pharmaceuticals that target cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Cardiovascular diseases and stroke affect over 60 million Americans and contribute to 40% of all deaths in the U.S. The estimated direct and indirect economic costs of cardiovascular diseases and stroke in the U.S. in 2002 totaled nearly $330 billion. It is very likely that the financial impact of cardiovascular health issues will become even greater in years to come. As the population ages, the incidence of cardiovascular disease and stroke will continue to increase, and the rise in obesity and diabetes will continue to quicken the rate of cardiovascular decline. Wise to the importance of this category, despite tremendous cuts in U.S. government-sponsored research in all fields, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, will spend approximately $3 billion in 2005 to research cardiovascular health.

Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease
The American Heart Association (AHA) has made significant efforts over the last several years to educate the public on the risk factors that lead to heart disease. These comprise the mantra that almost every American can recite by rote: eat well, exercise more, don?t smoke and drink in moderation. This advice is rooted in the epidemiology and etiology of cardiovascular disease and stroke. The landmark Framingham Heart Study of the last century was highly instrumental in teaching the medical community that the three key risk factors for heart disease are (in order) elevated cholesterol levels, high blood pressure and diabetes.