Heart Disease, Stroke Deaths are Rising in Many High-income Countries: Study

Heart disease and stroke death rates are now barely declining in many high-income countries, including Australia, reveals a new study. The findings of the study are published in the International Journal of Epidemiology.

University of Melbourne researchers have analyzed trends in cardiovascular disease mortality - which consists of mainly heart disease and stroke - in 23 high-income countries since the year 2000.

Congenital Heart Disease – Septal Defects
Heart diseases that are present at birth are called “ Congenital heart diseases”.

‘Obesity and poor diet may be a significant factor for the slowdown in the decline of cardiovascular disease deaths.’

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Researchers found cardiovascular disease mortality rates for people aged 35 to 74-years-old are now barely declining, or are increasing, in 12 of the 23 countries. In the USA and for Canadian females, cardiovascular disease mortality rates have increased in the most recent year, while in Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand annual declines in deaths from cardiovascular disease are now only 20 to 50 percent of what they were in the 2000s.

University of Melbourne expert on the global burden of disease Alan Lopez said research suggests that obesity, or at least poor diet, may have been a significant contributor to the slowdown in the decline of cardiovascular disease deaths.

"Each of these countries have very high levels of obesity. In Australia, close to one-third of adults are obese," Professor Lopez said.

Diet, Lifestyle and Heart Disease
The correlation between diet, lifestyle and heart disease. The importance of balanced diet life style and exercise for controlling heart disease.

"These increases in obesity levels mean that a significant portion of the population has been exposed to the cardiovascular disease risks associated with being overweight for several decades."

However, obesity is only one of many risk factors for cardiovascular disease mortality - others include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

Lifestyle Paths to Prevent Heart Disease
Heart disease can be of many types depending upon whether they involve the heart muscles or artery walls or heart beats. Bad lifestyle choices contribute to heart disease.

Researchers found obesity levels are low in Italy and France where the slowdown in cardiovascular disease mortality in recent years is among the most notable of all countries.

University of Melbourne researcher and co-author Tim Adair said the research shows that the effect of successful public health interventions on cardiovascular disease mortality over the past 50 years is diminishing.

Stroke – Early Warning Signs - Risk Factor - Rehab - Treatment
Stroke can cause permanent disability and it is important to recognize its early warning signs to stop its progress. Early warning signs of stroke include sudden weakness of facial muscles.

"In order to combat this, significant investment in preventive health measures is needed, particularly those aimed at increasing physical activity, improving diet and reducing obesity," Dr. Adair said.

"Failure to address these issues could confirm the end of the long-term decline in cardiovascular disease deaths and threaten future gains in life expectancy."

Source-Eurekalert