An estimated 900 million people are aged 65 years or older globally, 8% of the worlds population, and by 2050, this is predicted to exceed two billion, doubling to 16%, and for the first time in history adults will out number children.
With today's health care systems able diagnose, treat and prevent many health conditions more accurately than any other time, people are living longer. In fact, included in that estimated 2 billion individuals, people aged 80 years and older will have tripled since 2013.
Age is generally considered a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases such as but not limited to cancer, COPD, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Now add in the fact that in 2017 the American Heart Association (AHA) reported that the number of people with heart failure is expected to rise by 46 percent by 2030. That means an estimated 8 million people will have heart failure by then. Reasons for the rising number include the aging population who are living longer and a growing number of heart attack survivors, who are at increased risk for heart failure.
Heart disease and stroke are two of the top 5 causes of death worldwide, according to the AHA’s 2017 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update.
It can be argued that chronic diseases are an inevitable part of aging but maintaining good health now and into older age has become a major public health priority. The World Health Organization says the elimination of major risk factors such as smoking, lack of exercise, and poor diet greatly reduce the risk of CVD up to 80%.
With today's health care systems able diagnose, treat and prevent many health conditions more accurately than any other time, people are living longer. In fact, included in that estimated 2 billion individuals, people aged 80 years and older will have tripled since 2013.
Age is generally considered a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases such as but not limited to cancer, COPD, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Now add in the fact that in 2017 the American Heart Association (AHA) reported that the number of people with heart failure is expected to rise by 46 percent by 2030. That means an estimated 8 million people will have heart failure by then. Reasons for the rising number include the aging population who are living longer and a growing number of heart attack survivors, who are at increased risk for heart failure.
Heart disease and stroke are two of the top 5 causes of death worldwide, according to the AHA’s 2017 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update.
It can be argued that chronic diseases are an inevitable part of aging but maintaining good health now and into older age has become a major public health priority. The World Health Organization says the elimination of major risk factors such as smoking, lack of exercise, and poor diet greatly reduce the risk of CVD up to 80%.
