Coronary heart disease: from a disease of middle-aged men in the late 1970s to a disease of elderly women in the 2000s.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse secular changes in the prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and to assess changes in the burden of CHD at population level.


RESULTS
Data were used from two large cross-sectional health examination surveys representing the entire Finnish adult population in 1980 and 2000. In the 1978-80 survey, the sample covered 5101 individuals aged > or =45, of whom 88% participated. The 2000-2001 survey comprised 5310 individuals in the same age range. Participation rate in the health examination was 87%. Prevalence of CHD decreased in men and women under the age of 65 and increased among those aged > or =75. Prevalence of large Q-waves indicating previous myocardial infarction decreased in all male age groups and in women aged 65-74. The total estimated number of persons with CHD increased by 18% (95% CI=6-30) during the past 20 years in Finland. In 1980, the most dominant CHD group was men aged 45-64, whereas in 2000, women aged > or =75 comprised the largest CHD group.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the prevalence of CHD has decreased among middle-aged persons, the number of CHD cases has increased during the past 20 years in Finland.
Kattainen
Anna
A
Department of Health and Functional Capacity, National Public Health Institute, Mannerheimintie 166, FI-00300 Helsinki, Finland. anna.kattainen@ktl.fi
Salomaa
Veikko
V
Härkänen
Tommi
T
Jula
Antti
A
Kaaja
Risto
R
Kesäniemi
Y Antero
YA
Kähönen
Mika
M
Moilanen
Leena
L
Nieminen
Markku S
MS
Aromaa
Arpo
A
Reunanen
Antti
A
D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution