Related Experiment Videos
[Epidemiology of acute coronary syndrome]
Insights
Ischemic heart disease (IHD) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) rates are exceptionally low in Japan. Epidemiological data show stable or decreasing trends, with no evidence of increasing incidence or mortality from these conditions.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Ischemic heart disease (IHD) remains a significant global health concern.
- Understanding the epidemiology of IHD, particularly acute myocardial infarction (AMI), is crucial for public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the epidemiology of ischemic heart disease (IHD) in Japan.
- To focus specifically on the incidence and mortality trends of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) within the Japanese population.
Main Methods:
- Review of vital statistics from Japan concerning IHD and AMI mortality.
- Analysis of data from the "patient survey" for AMI incidence trends.
- Examination of findings from several population-based studies on AMI incidence.
Main Results:
- Japan exhibits among the lowest age-adjusted mortality rates for IHD and incidence rates for AMI globally.
- Age-adjusted mortality for IHD and AMI has shown a consistent decrease in Japan since the 1970s until 1993.
- Daily new patient rates for AMI have remained stable since the early 1980s, and incidence has been unchanged since the late 1950s.
Conclusions:
- The epidemiology of IHD and AMI in Japan is characterized by very low rates.
- There is no current epidemiological evidence to suggest an increase in either IHD mortality or AMI incidence in Japan.
Abstract:
We reviewed the epidemiology of ischemic heart disease (IHD) focusing on acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in Japan. The age-adjusted mortality from IHD and the age-adjusted incidence of AMI in Japan were nearly the lowest in the world. Vital statistics of Japan showed that the age-adjusted mortality from IHD and AMI had been decreasing since the 1970's until 1993. Rates of new patients of AMI per day have been stable since the early 1980's according to "patient survey". Several population-based studies reported the unchanged age-adjusted incidence of AMI since the late 1950's. In conclusion, the mortality from IHD and the incidence of AMI are very low in Japan, and there is no epidemiological evidence showing an increase in either one.