ABSTRACT
Cardiovascular System .............................................................................. 448 18.5 Diet, Lifestyle, and Cardiovascular Diseases............................................ 448 18.6 Summary.................................................................................................... 448 References.............................................................................................................. 449
Epidemiological data show that in industrialized countries with a high national income the most important cause of death is cardiovascular disease (CVD), accounting for 50% of all deaths. The mortality caused by CVD shows important differences among various countries. It is lowest in Japan, France, Spain, and Italy-from 50 to 150 cases per 100,000 inhabitants between the ages of 40 and 69. The highest mortality from CVD is found in the countries of the former Soviet Union, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Ireland-from 400 to 500 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants in the same age group (Benzie, 1999).
