Whether from a heart attack or a stroke, cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death for people around the world – leading to nearly one-third of all global deaths each year.

This week, Full Frame takes a look at a massive global health challenge that CAN be prevented.

Larry King: Changing health habits

American TV host Larry King discusses becoming a heart disease advocate.

With broadcasting jobs dating back to the 1950s, American television host Larry King has been redefining the art of conversation with memorable interviews. He’s interviewed political leaders, celebrities and more than 50,000 newsmakers from all walks of life.

While many of his guests cite their interview with Larry King as a milestone in their careers, a defining moment in his own life came in 1987 when King suffered a massive heart attack.

Since then he’s worked to bring awareness to cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment through the Larry King Cardiac Foundation as well as his work on behalf of the American Heart Association.

Larry King sits down with CCTV America’s May Lee, this week’s guest host, in our Los Angeles studios to talk about how he changed his health habits and his career that has given him a global platform as a heart disease advocate.

Follow Larry on Twitter: @LarryKing

Dr. Kathy Magliato: Heart disease and women – A silent killer

Dr. Kathy Magliato discusses heart disease and women.

It’s a common misperception that heart disease mainly plagues men, but in reality, it’s actually the number one cause of death among women, worldwide.

According to The World Heart Federation, heart disease claims 8.6 million women’s lives every year, killing more women than all cancers, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and malaria, combined.

Dr. Kathy Magliato is one of the few female cardiothoracic surgeons in the world. She is also specially trained to perform heart transplants. Currently, Dr. Magliato is the director of Women’s Cardiac Services at Saint John’s Medical Center in Santa Monica, California.

Dr. Magliato is also an author whose recent memoir, Heart Matters, chronicles her career as a female medical pioneer and her commitment to helping women fight – and survive – cardiovascular diseases. She is a wife and mother of two young boys. In her spare time, Dr. Magliato develops artificial heart devices.

She joins May Lee in our Los Angeles studios to provide insight about why heart disease is still a silent killer of millions of women and what preventative measures women can take to decrease their risk of heart attack and stroke.

Follow Dr. Magliato on Twitter: @KathyMagliato

Dr. Stephen Daniels: Preventing heart disease in childhood

Dr. Stephen Daniels discusses preventing adult heart disease in childhood.

While cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death globally, claiming 17.5 million lives each year, a number that is projected to reach 23 million by the year 2030, it is preventable.

The World Health Organization says 80% of premature heart disease, stroke and diabetes can be prevented.

Dr. Stephen Daniels is an expert in preventive cardiology and he just may make you think twice before you allow your kids to be around smokers or let them spend hours in front of the TV or computer screen.

Dr. Daniels believes it’s never too early to take preventive measures to protect your heart health destiny, and it begins in childhood. Research suggests those who are aerobically fit as teenagers are less likely to have a heart attack in middle age. Swedish researchers found that with every 15% increase in aerobic fitness, during your teen years, means an 18% reduction in the risk of a heart attack three decades later. And, researchers say, aerobic fitness as a teenager can even help those people who do become obese later in life.

Dr. Daniels is the pediatrician-in-chief at Children’s Hospital Colorado and a professor and chairman in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

From Denver, Dr. Daniels joins May Lee in our Los Angeles studios to discuss how heart disease can be prevented beginning in childhood.

Camp Aloha: Helping children live through grief

Camp Aloha helps children cope with grief after loss of a loved one.

Heart disease claims tens of millions of lives every year and for loved ones left behind, the loss can be very painful.

Nestled in the outskirts of Savannah, Georgia, Hospice Savannah provides those in need with end of life services.

Part of the non-profit organization’s mission is to also help the community with grief counseling and assistance as they deal with life after saying goodbye.

Hospice Savannah’s independent grief and loss center, named Full Circle, hosts an annual retreat called Camp Aloha. It gathers children, between the ages of six and 17, from all economic backgrounds, who are coping with grief after the death of a loved one.

While they are often called the “forgotten mourners”, the peer activities and understanding environment at Camp Aloha encourages children to express their feelings and hopefully find comfort in the shared experience of grieving.

Full Frame visited Camp Aloha to hear these children’s stories first hand.

Follow Hospice Savannah on Twitter: @HospiceSavannah