Cardiovascular Diseases, The Leading Cause of Death in South Khorasan Province: A two-decade study: Editorial Article

The changes in the causes of death in South Khorasan province, Iran, during 2002-2022 were examined in the present research. According to the data available in the “Mortality Data Registery” during these 20 years, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) was the most common cause of death, and its rate has increased from 20% in 2002 to about 37.8% in 2022. Even during the COVID pandemic, CVD was the first cause of death in the province. In 2022, the most common causes of death were CVD (37.8%), respiratory diseases (15.2%), cancers (14%), and accidents (9.2%). One of the most effective factors in preventing CVD is paying attention to"Life’s essential 8 Cardiovascular Health", i.e., having normal blood glucose, blood pressure, serum lipids, body mass index, sufficient physical activity, healthy diet, sufficient night sleep, and being a non-smoker. In addition to individuals’ attention to these factors, it is necessary for healthcare system decision-makers to have systematic and continuous planning to enhance people's awareness and attitude regarding these eight factors.