Globally Yours…

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Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death and disability worldwide with the majority of the victims living in low and low-middle income countries. This disproportionately increasing burden in the developing countries is believed to be due to dramatic lifestyle changes in the last century. Collectively referred to as epidemiological transition, these changes have been brought about by numerous developments in science and technology that now affect every facet of human existence. Most human societies have moved from agrarian diets and active lives to fast foods and sedentary habits. Combined with increasing tobacco use, these changes have fuelled the epidemic of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and cardiovascular diseases. Further while developed nations witnessed these changes over several decades due to a long period of epidemiological transition, the alterations in developing countries are occurring at an accelerated pace calling into focus creative and innovative solutions for combating the consequences.

Despite the disproportionate burden in the underprivileged countries research output from these countries is limited and the vast majority of publications related to cardiovascular diseases come from high-income countries. The research material from developing countries is usually published in local journals and remains largely inaccessible as grey literature. In order to provide a worldwide perspective and encompass the needs of an international audience we require a truly global journal. In this regard we are pleased to bring to you the inaugural issue of the Global Heart, the official Journal of the World Heart Federation, which replaces its six-year-old predecessor, CVD Prevention and Control. Our launch coincides with the first ever United Nations general assembly meeting on non-communicable diseases, wherein multiple stakeholders will discuss the current situation, future trends and an agenda for action. All groups advocating the global promotion of cardiovascular health have emphasized the need for research to modify the trajectory of the epidemiological transition in a favourable manner. Research will help provide solutions, which are locally-relevant, specific and resource-sensitive.

The new Journal will highlight current research trends in the field of cardiovascular diseases in the developing countries and identify gaps in knowledge, and strive for global solutions to the burgeoning epidemic of cardiovascular diseases. It has new editors, new editorial board and senior advisory council constituted by eminent cardiologists, researchers, epidemiologists, economists and leaders in public health dedicated to cardiovascular disease prevention and management. The associate editors and section editors are leaders in their own right and bring years of experience to enrich the new Journal. With very carefully designed sections, this Journal will offer a platform for global voice in cardiovascular disease prevention with original research contributions [Global Science], state-of-the-art reviews [Global Voices] and frequent editorial comments and viewpoints [Global Opinion]. With an emphasis on participation of the young researchers in mind, we will publish the classic studies in cardiovascular epidemiology with the current perspective [Global Heritage], and promote research capacity building through a series of introductory articles on research methods, epidemiology and biostatistics [Global Learning]. We are committed to encourage the development of guidelines for cardiovascular disease management and prevention [Global Intelligence], and promote registers of cohort profile and data banks [Global Tracking]. We will focus on region-specific cardiovascular programs and news [Global Watch], and highlight resource- and context-specific innovations and concepts [Global Solutions]. We will make sure that the diseases peculiar to the developing countries are adequately represented [Global Orphans]. The Journal will continue to be published quarterly. We will, in every issue, highlight one or more of original research manuscripts in an accompanying editor’s page [Global Overview], discuss the importance of the selected manuscript, its potential contributions to the global heart health and predict the future trends.

Our first two issues comprise a special treat from the Institute of Medicine. The first issue summarizes the recent recommendations made by their Committee on Preventing the Global Epidemic of Cardiovascular Diseases. In addition to the excerpts from the report on Promoting Cardiovascular Health in the Developing World, the inaugural issue also brings contributions from numerous investigators dedicated to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases in the developing countries. The editorial board of the Global Heart and the World Heart Federation are grateful to Drs. Valentin Fuster and Bridget Kelly for kindly agreeing to guest edit the first and setting the standards of excellence for the subsequent issues. The next issue will be based on a workshop sponsored recently by the Institute of Medicine on Country-Level Decision Making for Control of Chronic Diseases, which will be guest edited by Dr. Rachel Nugent from the Center for Global Development. We sincerely hope that you will like the introductory issues of the Journal, and we look forward to hearing from you. The success of any journal lies with its readers. We await your enthusiastic support, contribution of original research articles, and global welcome.