A disease of affluence; more common in wealthier countries
Measure in DALYs - Disability-Adjusted Life
Years
Distribution
the USA and UK due to ageing populations and lifestyle factors. People tend
to have a greater disposible income, jobs are often in the tertiary sector and
there are may sedentary amusements and comforts.
the Epidemiological Transition Model predicts an
increase in cases in poor and newly industrialising
countries
Death rates are falling in wealthier countries
due to diagnostic improvements, developing
treatments and awareness campaigns
Areas of social deprivation
Impacts
95,000 deaths per year in the UK
Unemployment increases
Half of deaths are those under 70; the peak of economic activity
Family and friends many also stop working to care for the
patient; in LEDCs it is not uncommon to pull a child out of
education to look after a sick parent.
Obesity costs the NHS £0.5 billion a
year
Indirect cost to the economy over £2 billion
If 10% of Americans actively walked, $5.6
billion could be saved on heart disease related
health care
Even before atherosclerosis, the patient will have been living a
low quality of life. Diabetes and obesity is common in CHD
sufferers.
Many obese people find ordinary activities a challenge and find themselves excluded from society
Facts
There's a heart attack every 15 minutes
Women in Glasgow have the
highest heart attack rate in the
world
The working class are twice as likely to suffer a heart
attack
Solutions
USA banned the suing of fast food chains for causing
obesity
New Zealand introduced recognisable healthy food
logos
Products were reformulated to contain less salt
UK
Public smoking ban in the UK from
2007
UK doctors are promoting the consumption of oily fish, fruit and veg and less
sat fats
Over 5 million take statins (a group of medicines that can help lower the level of low-density lipoprotein
cholesterol in the blood) which prevent 2,000 early deaths per year.
Medical advances have saved 8 million lives between 1970-2000 in the 'cardiovascular
revolution'
heart diseases fallen by 70%
Only governments can legislate the
control of disease through advertising
bans, smoke free areas, food logos and
taxation
World Heart Day established by WHO since 2000.
This involves conferences, free blood pressure
tests and the promotion of physical activities
involving all members of society. Nearly 60 participating countries.
In Finland nationwide restrictions
enforced regarding cholesterol levels
through health education and food
labeling led to a decrease in heart
disease