Cardiovascular diseases responsible for most deaths: Health Ministry

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Cardiovascular diseases cause the highest number of deaths in Indonesia, according to director of non-communicable disease prevention and control at the Health Ministry, Eva Susanti.

“The leading causes of death in Indonesia are stroke with 19.42 percent and ischemic heart disease (heart attack) with 14.38 percent,” she said at a press conference on the 2023 World Heart Day, which was followed online from here on Monday.

Not only in Indonesia, the two cardiovascular diseases are also a global concern since ischemic heart disease causes 16.17 percent of deaths in the world, while strokes account for 11.59 percent of fatalities, she added.

The risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar, smoking, and obesity, are among the top 5 risk factors causing the burden of diseases in Indonesia.

Susanti said that in 2022, the financing for catastrophic diseases rose to Rp24.06 trillion (around US$1.56 billion).

“The two types of cardiovascular diseases are diseases with the biggest financing in the National Health Insurance (JKN) program, with Rp15.37 trillion (US$997.73 million),” she pointed out.

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She further said that only 3 in 10 people with non-communicable diseases come to know they have the diseases, while the rest do not.

Therefore, to welcome World Heart Day, which is commemorated every September 29, the ministry is carrying out several strategies to minimize the number of deaths due to cardiovascular diseases.

The strategies include several aspects such as health education and promotion, early detection, case handling, and rehabilitation involving various programs and sectors.

The ministry is also promoting the “CERDIK” campaign, which includes promoting routine health checks, cigarette smoke eradication, regular physical activities, balanced nutrition, getting enough rest, and stress management.

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