Overview

• Peru’s Health Ministry warned the country is recording more than 100 myocardial infarctions each day, linking the surge to uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes, obesity and unhealthy diets.
• World Heart Day prompted screenings and public outreach across the region, including a 1,500-person walk with blood pressure and glucose checks in Mar del Plata and preventive campaigns at hospitals in Jujuy and Mexico.
• Baja California reported gains in acute cardiac care since 2022, with the Red Código Infarto program saving over 700 lives, delivering about 485 free angioplasties and reducing ischemic heart disease mortality to 69.4 per 100,000 from 83.7.
• Clinicians recommend cardiovascular risk evaluation around age 40 for men and 50 for women—earlier with risk factors or family history—and emphasize exercise, healthy diet, avoiding tobacco and regular follow-ups, noting up to 80% of premature deaths are preventable.
• WHO figures show cardiovascular disease remains the world’s top killer at about 17.9 million deaths annually, as specialists report more heart attacks and strokes in younger patients.