A PROPOSED STUDY OF RISK FACTORS OF HEART DISEASE IN RURAL POPULATION OF PUNJAB (PAKISTAN) — TIME TO ACT!

Abstract

In Pakistan, not only the urban but also the rural population has a high risk potential for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). But, unfortunately the identification of risk factors in the rural population and the rural health education regarding CVDs has not been a hallmark of our health promoting efforts. As a matter of fact, there is little population-based data available in Pakistan. Now is the time to focus our attention and resources on the identification and the prevalence of major risk factors like tobacco consumption, hypertension and obesity in our rural population, which constitutes more than half of the country's population. A pilot project is designed to fulfill the need of the hour. Moreover, various strategies and methodologies are recommended for the prevention and control, thereby emphasizing