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Cardiovascular risk factor changes in Finland, 1972-1997
E Vartiainen1, P Jousilahti, G Alfthan
1Department of Epidemiology and Health Promotion, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland. erkki.vartiainen@ktl.fi
International Journal of Epidemiology
|April 6, 2000
Summary
Finland
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
Background:
- Population cardiovascular risk factor assessment in Finland began in 1972, initially for the North Karelia Project.
- A national cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention strategy was implemented in the late 1970s.
- A monitoring system was established to evaluate the national strategy's effectiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess long-term trends in cardiovascular risk factors in the Finnish population.
- To evaluate the impact of a national cardiovascular health program.
Main Methods:
- Six cross-sectional population surveys conducted between 1972 and 1997.
- Involved 19,761 men and 20,761 women aged 30-59 from various Finnish provinces.
- Data collected on serum cholesterol, blood pressure, and smoking prevalence.
Main Results:
- Consistent decline in serum cholesterol for both genders.
- Systolic blood pressure decreased, but diastolic blood pressure plateaued in 1997.
- Smoking prevalence declined in men; women's smoking rates leveled off and began to decrease.
Conclusions:
- The Finnish cardiovascular health program has effectively reduced population-level risk factors.
- Sustained public health interventions contribute to improved cardiovascular health outcomes.