The challenges of prevention of cardiovascular diseases. A scientific statement of the international college of cardiology

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) continue to be a worldwide important public health problem. Region-specific estimates by WHF/AHA of premature cardiovascular mortality indicate that over 5 million premature deaths due to CVDs among men and 2.8 million among women are projected worldwide by 2025. The mortality can be decreased to 3.5 million and 2.2 million, respectively, provided efforts are made by government agencies to provide cost-effective, moderate physical activity, a functional-food-rich diet, moderate alcohol intake, particularly wines, and no tobacco use, to achieve desired targets for body weight, blood pressure and avoid dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus. Prevention should begin from fathers and mothers of the offspring who are future candidates to develop CVDs. Functional food security, moderate physical activity, no tobacco and little alcohol intake (<10 drinks/week), regular active prayer and meditation and an environment free of pollution for parents looking for conception may provide epigenetic inheritance of health and primordial prevention of CVDs.