Modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease and mortality (26•3% of the PAF), although the single largest risk factor was a low education level (12.5% of the PAF). Ambient air pollution was associated with 13•9% of the PAF for CVD (although different statistical methods were used for this analysis). In MIC and LIC, the importance of household air pollution, poor diet, low education, and low grip strength were larger compared with HIC.Interpretation: The majority of CVD cases and deaths can be attributed to a small number of common, modifiable risk factors. While some factors have extensive global impacts (e.g. hypertension, education), others (e.g. household air pollution, poor diet) vary by a country's economic level. Health policies should focus on risk factors that have the greatest effects on averting CVD and death globally, with additional emphasis on risk factors of greatest importance in specific groups of countries.Funding: See acknowledgements.

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Full funding sources listed at the end of the paper (see Acknowledgments).