IndexLifestyle and nutrientsDiscussionConclusionCardiovascular disease (CVD) describes several diseases that have related conditions, commonly known as coronary heart disease (CHD), cerebrovascular disease, peripheral arterial disease, rheumatic disease and congenital heart disease and venous thromboembolism (9,10). Often, the same common risk factors lead to these conditions (9). Approximately seven million people in the United Kingdom (UK) are affected by cardiovascular disease (10). Cardiovascular disease represents a growing problem and cause of disability affecting individuals, families and communities (3). Cardiovascular disease accounts for a quarter of premature deaths in the UK and was responsible for 26% of all deaths in 2015 (10). Cardiovascular diseases are expected to overtake infectious diseases as the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide by 2020 (4). Cardiovascular disease represents a significant cost and health burden for societies. The National Health Service (NHS) in England has spent more than £6.8 billion on the treatment of cardiovascular disease (8). The highest spending was on secondary care, with £4,373 million spent on cardiovascular disease, followed by primary care, the second highest level of spending (8). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay In primary care, the majority of costs were due to prescribing (£1,387.5 million) (8). In addition to this, CVD causes productivity losses estimated as lost earnings due to CVD-related mortality and morbidity. In 2004, an estimated 135,988 working years were lost due to coronary heart disease (CHD) deaths, costing £2.96 billion (2). Furthermore, approximately 26 million working days were lost due to coronary heart disease-related morbidity (2). The World Health Organization claims that over 75% of premature cardiovascular diseases are preventable (6). Improving risk factors can help reduce the growing burden of cardiovascular disease on both individuals and healthcare providers (6). There is strong agreement between guidelines regarding the importance of quitting smoking, having an optimal weight, and the importance of physical exercise (6, 9, 10). However, there is a slight difference in the approach of the guidelines to hypertension and the lipid profile (9). Lipid profile Intimate disease of arteries ranging in size from the aorta up to nearly 3 mm in external diameter is called atherosclerosis (7). Animal studies suggest that the regression of the proportion of intimal surface occupied by plaques, which occurs in atherosclerosis, may occur after plasma lipid concentrations are decreased (7). The association between hypertension and cholesterol levels in the development of cardiovascular disease leads to the idea of ​​screening and treating it in otherwise healthy people, in order to stop atherosclerosis and prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular events (6). Early treatment suggestions were based on specific risk factor levels, with antihypertensive treatment recommended for all patients with diastolic blood pressure above 105 mmHg (6,9). Subsequently, however, a change occurred in preventive cardiology (6). Although the guidelines for hypertension have remained the same, the guidelines for cholesterol treatment have been replaced by a more sophisticated approach, moving further towards personalized treatment (6). This approach is recommendedpharmacological interventions based on the patient's cardiovascular risk caused by the presence of various risk factors (6). Lifestyle and nutrients Up to approximately 80% protection from cardiovascular disease with a healthy lifestyle has been confirmed (5). Among lifestyle strategies for cardiovascular disease prevention, nutrients play a remarkably significant role (5). Therefore, lifestyle modification is of utmost importance in population-based strategies for cardiovascular prevention (5, ). In particular, better diet quality is related to higher family income and education, therefore the public needs to be informed about the knowledge of cardiopreparative foods and diets (5,4). Furthermore, efforts should be directed towards trying to resolve the problem of inequalities (5,4). Reducing the amount of salt in foods can also contribute to the prevention of cardiovascular disease, since salt consumption leads to hypertension, which is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (10). Almost 4,147 premature deaths can be prevented and the NHS in England saved £288 million for every gram of salt reduced from average daily intake (10). Compared to medications and standard cardiovascular treatments, the dietary approach to CVD is more cost-effective. Because many of the prescriptions and procedures, such as surgeries to treat cardiovascular disease, could be avoided by individuals if diet-focused strategies were implemented. Prevention at all levels Due to the substantial effect that CVD has on the social welfare system, it is critical to invest in the most cost-effective interventions to prevent the occurrence of CVD (10,4,9). There are three levels of prevention (3). The primary level aims to improve the general health of the population, while the secondary and tertiary level aims to improve recovery and treatment (3). Upstream approaches tend to be inexpensive and more effective as well as resulting in less morbidity and mortality (3). Mortality and morbidity of patients on waiting lists Improved survival has led to a high prevalence of people with CVD and, consequently, an increase in the total number of operations performed to treat coronary heart disease in the UK ( 8). This results in a crisis in the waiting list of patients requiring complex interventions such as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) (1). Long waiting periods for CABG contribute to higher mortality and morbidity rates, particularly in patients with left ventricular dysfunction (1). For this reason, primary prevention of CVD events is recommended to prevent crisis on waiting lists. Discussion As CVD is increasing globally, it is important to understand the social and economic forces that drive the development of risk factors. Promoting knowledge and applying effective strategies are key to preventing cardiovascular disease. It is important to analyze the effectiveness of strategies using available data. This helps to recognize the practical aspects of implementation. Furthermore, to appreciate the effectiveness of a strategy and the key challenges to build on or address for prevention purposes. Social determinants of health are needed to help highlight how social processes interact with different levels, including cardiovascular disease health, at global, national and individual levels. . Importantly, intervention strategies can be adapted at an early stage if disadvantaged groups can be identified. This can happen sooner than that..