ABSTRACT
Despite long-standing recognition of the fact, coronary heart disease (CHD) continues to be the major cause of death and disability among middle-aged and older people in Western urbanized societies. Rates of incidence, reflecting both mortality and morbidity, vary somewhat between countries but Australian data give some indication of the magnitude of the problem. In 1986 some 48% of all deaths (males and females of all ages) was attributable to vascular disease in some form with 39% being directly related to CHD (National Heart Foundation of Australia, 1986). This compared with 24% for neoplastic disease of all forms. The data present an even more prominent picture when males and females are examined separately: In 1986, the mortality rate from CHD in males 30 to 64 years old (premature deaths) was around 150/100,000 whereas in females in the same age range, the mortality rate from CHD approximated 45/100,000. (Death from carcinoma of the breast, uterus, and lung account for greater female mortality in this age group.)
