[Evolution of ischemic cardiomyopathy and risk factors in Spain]

Cardiovascular mortality rates in Spain, as in many mediterranean countries are low. However, it is the first cause of death in our population. In the decade of seventies, cardiovascular mortality rates in Spain began to decrease, basically because of the important reduction in cerebro-vascular death and, secondly, by a reduction in coronary heart disease mortality. Decrease in coronary mortality rates may be explained as a consequence of better treatments for acute myocardial infarction. It is also important the role of cardiovascular prevention and health education campaigns for the population done, in the last years. As in many other studies, we have observed the influence of traditionally coronary risk factors as predictors for coronary heart disease in populations with low rates of coronary heart disease incidence and mortality.