Around the world, heart disease continues to claim more lives than wars, disasters or any other illness. In South East Asia it takes a life every 8 seconds, in the United States every 34 seconds, and in the United Kingdom every 3 minutes. On World Heart Day, we examine why this condition remains the number one cause of death across the globe. It does not only impact the elderly but is increasingly affecting younger people as well. Factors such as stress, unhealthy lifestyles, improper diagnosis and the neglect of women’s health make the problem worse. Yet there is hope. More than 80 percent of cardiovascular illnesses can be prevented with the right steps. This special report looks at the challenges, the progress, and why protecting heart health has become a worldwide priority.