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Emamgholipour S, Dargahi H, Arghavani nia M. Treatment methods and cost coverage evaluation for patients with cardiovascular disease worldwide. JRHMS 2024; 3 (4) :30-38
URL: http://jrhms.thums.ac.ir/article-1-132-en.html

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are among the leading causes of mortality and disability worldwide and account for a substantial proportion of the global disease burden and healthcare expenditures. Scientific advances in pharmacological therapy, cardiovascular interventions, and cardiac surgery significantly improved patient survival and quality of life. However, the direct and indirect costs associated with these diseases, particularly in countries with limited resources, have become a major challenge for health policymakers. This study provides a comprehensive review of existing treatment approaches for cardiovascular diseases and presents a comparative analysis of health insurance coverage systems across different countries. Treatment methods include pharmacological interventions (antiplatelet agents, statins, and beta-blockers), interventional procedures (angioplasty, coronary artery bypass grafting, and heart valve replacement), as well as lifestyle modification strategies. Analysis of insurance systems shows that countries with universal healthcare systems such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and Germany provide more comprehensive coverage (approximately 90– 100%), whereas countries with predominantly private insurance systems, such as the United States, exhibit more variable coverage (60–90%) and higher out-of-pocket costs for patients. Our findings suggest that countries using universal health coverage frameworks, health technology assessment (HTA), and cost-effectiveness analysis in healthcare decision-making show better performance in controlling costs and improving patient access to cardiovascular services. Furthermore, emphasizing primary and secondary prevention strategies and promoting lifestyle modification are crucial in reducing both the economic and clinical burden of CVDs. Inequality in access to treatment, the high cost of emerging medical technologies, and insufficient coverage for new medications remain major challenges for healthcare systems worldwide.