Fall In Heart Disease Death Rate For Under 55s Slows Down In UK

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Main Category: Heart Disease
Also Included In: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness;  Diabetes
Article Date: 19 Jul 2007 - 0:00 PDT

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Even though the total number of deaths from coronary heart disease have fallen significantly over the last 20 years in the UK, the rate at which this number is falling for people under 55 is slowing down, according to a study published in the journal Heart (BMJ).

In this study, death rates of people aged 35 and older in England and Wales were assessed, for the period 1984-2004.

The study found that:

-- Deaths from coronary heart disease among men fell almost 55% (1984-2004)
-- Deaths from coronary heart disease among women fell 48% (1984-2004)
-- Rates of death from coronary heart disease fell increasingly each decade

However, the researchers found that death rates among younger people appears to be leveling off.

-- Deaths from coronary heart disease among men aged 35-44 fell 35% (1984-2004)
-- Deaths from coronary heart disease among men aged 45-54 fell 47% (1984-2004)
-- Deaths from coronary heart disease among men was virtually unchanged from 2000-2004
-- Deaths from coronary heart disease among women aged 45-54 fell 38%

The authors say that the total number of deaths from coronary heart disease have been steadily falling since the 1960s because of better and more effective treatments, and lifestyle changes. If obesity and diabetes rates continue to rise, the authors warn that the fall in mortality rates will not only slow further, but could eventually turn into a rise. Younger Britons are the most at risk.

The authors conclude "The party is over, and complacency runs a high risk. The flattening trends in mortality rates among younger adults suggest that the cardiovascular disease epidemic is not being controlled."

"Coronary heart disease trends in England and Wales from 1984 to 2004: concealed levelling of mortality rates among young adults"
Heart 2007 doi:10.1136/hrt.2007.118323

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today
Copyright: Medical News Today
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