[Epidemiology and risk factors of myocardial infarct]

From the epidemiological point of view the reduction of risk factors, such as increased blood lipids, hypertension, smoking, decreased the incidence of myocardial infarction in the USA by 13,5%. In contrast the arteriosclerotic diseases in Austria and the other Western European industrial countries increased. The reasons are obvious: Thus in the Federal Republic of Germany in 3,3 to 5% of adolescents between 15 and 19 years of age a hypercholesterolemia and in 10% an overweight was found. According to recent epidemiological studies already up to 12% of children had increased blood pressure values. 36% of all pupils in the Federal Republic of Germany are smoking regularly or occasionally, for the first time with 10 years on the average. Besides of regular controls of important biochemical parameters the physician should stress the importance of preventive measures for reduction of cardiovascular risk factors.