title: Secular changes in prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in elderly Finns.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the present study was to examine changes with time in the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in Finns 65 to 74 years of age.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two cross-sectional studies were conducted 18 years apart. In the Mini-Finland Survey (1978 to 1980), a nationally representative sample of 1,250 Finns of 65 to 74 years of age was interviewed and clinically examined. The FINRISK Survey (1997) consisted of a random sample of 1,500 individuals in the same age range, from two areas of Finland. Prevalences of chronic CVD (angina pectoris (AP), myocardial infarction (MI), coronary heart disease (CHD), heart failure, hypertension, cerebrovascular disease, and intermittent claudication) were assessed via self-reported data relating to known conditions and diagnoses by physicians.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalences of most of the chronic CVD were lower in the 1997 survey than in the 1978 to 1980 survey. A major exception was drug treatment for hypertension in men, which was more prevalent in the 1997 survey.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that the prevalence of CVD in Finns 65 to 74 years of age has declined since 1978. This information is valuable in assessing current and future burdens imposed by CVD on society.
authors.affiliation: National Public Health Institute, Department of Health and Functional Capacity, Helsinki, Finland. Anna.Kattainen@ktl.fi
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kattainen
authors.forename: Antti
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reunanen
authors.forename: Seppo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Koskinen
authors.forename: Tuija
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Martelin
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Knekt
authors.forename: Arpo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aromaa
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011897:Random Allocation; D017678:Sex Distribution
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents