Trends of cardiovascular risk factors and diseases in Japan: implications for primordial prevention

We have documented a 70% fall in stroke mortality and a 20% decline in coronary disease (CHD) mortality over the past 30 years in Japan. This parallels a change away from the traditional Japanese eating pattern, with less salt and more meat and dairy products, and decreased rates of smoking. A recent increase in CHD rates among urban Japanese men raises the need for vigorous primordial prevention efforts to avoid elevated blood lipids in modern Japanese populations, while primary prevention efforts must continue for the prevention of hypertension and smoking.