Primordial prevention: a life-course approach to global cardiovascular health

Document Type

Review

Publication Date

1-1-2026

Abstract

Primordial prevention is the strategy of preventing occurrence of cardiovascular risk factors from early life and promoting favourable life course trajectories of cardiovascular health. While the term’primordial prevention’ was introduced by Strasser in 1978, representing a society-wide strategy to prevent epidemics of cardiovascular risk factors, the concept has been implemented far less to date than is needed to reduce the global cardiovascular burden. The primary purpose of this review is to increase understanding of the concept and strategy of primordial prevention for reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease and its relation to cardiovascular health. We discuss the influence of upstream adverse social and structural determinants on the development of traditional cardiovascular risk throughout the life course. We summarise recent trial evidence of intervention effectiveness and highlight policy and practice opportunities that can achieve the potential of primordial prevention as a sustainable and equitable strategy for promoting cardiovascular health across the life course.

Publication Title

Heart

ISSN

13556037

DOI

10.1136/heartjnl-2025-326752

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