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Cardiovascular disease epidemiology in Asia: an overview
1Department of Epidemiology, Radiation Medical Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan.
Insights
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in Asia is high, but Japan has seen success in reducing stroke deaths through hypertension and smoking control. Continued prevention efforts, including addressing metabolic factors, are crucial for future CVD prevention in Asia.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading global cause of death, with a significant burden in Asia.
- Japan has achieved remarkable longevity, partly due to a continuous decline in CVD mortality since the 1960s.
- Hypertension and smoking are key risk factors for stroke and coronary artery disease, while dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus contribute to ischemic heart disease and stroke.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze trends in cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in Japan.
- To evaluate the impact of public health interventions on CVD risk factors.
- To provide recommendations for future CVD prevention strategies in Japan and other Asian countries.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality trends in Japan from the 1960s to the 2000s.
- Assessment of the influence of nationwide hypertension control programs and antismoking campaigns.
- Evaluation of changes in the prevalence of dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus over time.
Main Results:
- Japan experienced a substantial decline in CVD, particularly stroke, mortality, contributing to increased longevity.
- Nationwide hypertension prevention and control, along with antismoking campaigns, significantly reduced stroke mortality.
- Prevalence of dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus increased from the 1980s to 2000s, moderately raising population-attributable risks for CVD.
Conclusions:
- Japan's successful CVD prevention strategies, particularly for hypertension and smoking, offer a model for other Asian nations.
- Continued intensive prevention programs for hypertension and smoking are essential.
- Intensified prevention efforts targeting emerging metabolic risk factors like dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus are necessary for future CVD reduction in Asia.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the world and half of the cases of CVD are estimated to occur in Asia. Compared with Western countries, most Asian countries, except for Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand, have higher age-adjusted mortality from CVD. In Japan, the mortality from CVD, especially stroke, has declined continuously from the 1960s to the 2000s, which has contributed to making Japan into the top-ranking country for longevity in the world. Hypertension and smoking are the most notable risk factors for stroke and coronary artery disease, whereas dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus are risk factors for ischemic heart disease and ischemic stroke. The nationwide approach to hypertension prevention and control has contributed to a substantial decline in stroke mortality in Japan. Recent antismoking campaigns have contributed to a decline in the smoking rate among men. Conversely, the prevalence of dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus increased from the 1980s to the 2000s and, therefore, the population-attributable risks of CVD for dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus have increased moderately. To prevent future CVD in Asia, the intensive prevention programs for hypertension and smoking should be continued and that for emerging metabolic risk factors should be intensified in Japan. The successful intervention programs in Japan can be applied to other Asian countries.
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