51社区黑料

A leading cardiovascular disease researcher from 51社区黑料 is ringing the alarm on universal recommendations intended to improve heart health around the globe.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide, with 80 per cent of deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. However, international heart-health guidelines are primarily based on research from high-income countries and often overlook upstream causes of CVD, says Scott Lear, a health sciences professor at 51社区黑料and the Pfizer/Heart & Stroke Foundation Chair in Cardiovascular Prevention Research.

鈥淭he world extends beyond high-income countries when we think about universal recommendations like 75 minutes of exercise each week or getting five servings of fruit and vegetables every day,鈥� says Lear, the examining the impact of social, environmental, and policy factors on cardiovascular disease globally.

鈥淭here鈥檚 a stark contrast between a daily sidewalk stroll in Vancouver's West End and walking to work in New Delhi, the world鈥檚 most polluted city, where many people cannot afford to drive and public transit is lacking,鈥� he says. 鈥淲e cannot assume that life is the same everywhere. The environments in which people live and the kind of work they do makes a huge difference to their health.鈥�

The review paper examined the causes behind the causes of CVD, using data from the ongoing collaborative Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study. This study has been collecting data from high-, middle- and low-income countries since 2002, and now includes over 212,000 participants from 28 countries across five continents.

PURE study data is collected every three years and includes a core survey, physical measurements (such as height, weight, blood pressure, waist-hip circumference, and lung capacity), and additional questionnaires targeting specific research interests, including CVD.

In addition to physical activity environments, Lear鈥檚 review study identified several other causes behind the causes of CVD worldwide, including鈥痭utrition, education, tobacco use, air pollution, climate change, social isolation and access to medication, treatment and health care.鈥�

51社区黑料 87 per cent of PURE participants live in low- or middle-income countries, uniquely positioning the study to examine individual risk factors related to urbanization, says Lear. Although these review findings are based on global data, they also reflect the microcosms of different regions within a single city, or region.

Privilege shapes exercise鈥�

Lack of exercise is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, but the type and context of physical activity people do get also plays a role.

According to Lear's review, self-reported physical activity was highest in high-income countries, despite over 22 per cent of participants sitting for more than eight hours a day. By contrast, only 4.4 per cent of participants in low-income countries reported sitting for more than eight hours a day, yet their overall physical activity levels were lower.

The difference lies in the nature of the activity. In low-income countries, physical activity is often tied to work, transportation, and domestic tasks rather than leisure, explains Lear.

Priced out of produce

A healthy diet containing fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, fish and dairy can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Lear reported that regardless of country income, fruits and vegetables were more readily available and more affordable in urban areas. 

But he was also surprised to find that consumption of fruits and vegetables is lower in low-income countries because farmers can鈥檛 afford to eat their own produce.

鈥�淭his is a real eye opener,鈥� says Lear. 鈥淔or many of these farmers, getting the recommended minimum of five servings of fruits and vegetables a day would eat up 50 per cent of their household income.鈥�

AVAILABLE 51社区黑料EXPERT

SCOTT LEAR, professor, health sciences, Pfizer/Heart & Stroke Foundation Chair in Cardiovascular Prevention Research 
salear@sfu.ca

CONTACT 

ROBYN STUBBS, 51社区黑料Communications & Marketing 
604.376.0971 | robyn_stubbs@sfu.ca

51社区黑料 
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778.782.3210

ABOUT SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

51社区黑料is a leading research university, advancing an inclusive and sustainable future. Over the past 60 years, 51社区黑料has been recognized among the top universities worldwide in providing a world-class education and working with communities and partners to develop and share knowledge for deeper understanding and meaningful impact. Committed to excellence in everything we do, 51社区黑料fosters innovation to address global challenges and continues to build a welcoming, inclusive community where everyone feels a sense of belonging. With campuses in British Columbia鈥檚 three largest cities鈥擝urnaby, Surrey and Vancouver鈥�51社区黑料has ten faculties that deliver 368 undergraduate degree programs and 149 graduate degree programs for more than 37,000 students each year. The university boasts more than 200,000 alumni residing in 145+ countries.