The pattern of cardiovascular disease in Indonesia

As its socioeconomic situation is improving, Indonesia is now in epidemiological transition, having the double burden of infectious diseases and emerging noncommunicable, especially cardiovascular, diseases. A review of the data from recent community surveys indicates an increase in cardiovascular diseases, particularly ischaemic heart disease and hypertension and its sequelae, as causes of morbidity and mortality, most markedly among the elderly, while rheumatic heart disease and congenital heart disease continue to have much lower incidences. In response to this situation, Indonesia has joined the WHO MONICA Project as an associate member. The first population screening, completed in 1988 on 2,073 randomly selected subjects, disclosed important risk factors including hypertension, smoking and physical inactivity. Lipid values are low compared with Western figures but higher than Japanese values. The prevalence of hypertension ranged from 5 to 15% in all adults but reached over 20% in those aged 50 years and over. Primary and primordial prevention programmes are to receive higher priority, and health education is to be given special attention at all levels. It will be necessary for the government to work closely with nongovernmental organizations in order to accomplish the tasks in hand.