Cardiovascular disease: rise, fall, and future prospects.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) became the leading cause of chronic disease morbidity and mortality in industrialized countries in the twentieth century. In many nations, it peaked and began to decline, while in developing countries it is rising. The contributions of risk factors, sociocultural changes, and medical care are debated, but all play a role in understanding these disease patterns. Public health approaches such as dietary change along with widespread use of medications such as aspirin, statins, diuretics, and beta-blockers may impact future trends in this chronic disease epidemic.