Summary

Despite advances in cardiovascular (CV) research, global disparities concerning life expectancy, health care resource allocation, and clinical implementation remain. In 2005, the global rate of death from CV causes was 3.3 times greater than AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined. Additionally, four-fifths of all CV events occur in developing countries [Sanz G & Fuster V. Nature Clin Practice Cardiovasc Med 2009]. Due to the magnitude of the problem, biomedical research in developing countries is essential. This article discusses the global challenges of CV disease.