The number of non-fatal heart attacks in Newcastle and Perth
fell sharply over a period from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s
according to a new report released today by the Australian
Institute of Health and Welfare.
The report shows that for men and women aged 35-64 years,
non-fatal heart attacks fell by 4% per year in Newcastle, and 1-3%
per year in Perth.
Coronary heart disease death rates have continued to fall
through the 1990s, around 4% per year in Perth and 8-9% per year in
Newcastle.
The report also shows that the proportion of smokers in
Newcastle and Perth declined dramatically between 1983 and 1994,
and there was an increase in prevalence of overweight and obesity
over the same period.
The WHO MONICA Study, Australia, 1984-1993 presents
data collected by the two Australian centres (Perth and Newcastle)
which participated in the World Health Organization's multinational
survey-designed to study trends in cardiovascular disease and its
causes. Forty populations from 25 countries were involved in the
study from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s.
Co-author of the report, Professor Annette Dobson, said that the
use of aspirin had increased substantially.
'By 1993, for example, aspirin was used by more than 80% of
patients who were discharged from hospital,' Professor Dobson
said.
'Additionally, about 28% of Newcastle men aged 65-69 years took
aspirin every day.'
The report also shows:
- A reduction in the mean level of total cholesterol, which may
be the result of changes in diet as well as an increase in the use
of medications to treat high cholesterol.
- An increase in the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme
inhibitors and calcium channel blockers in the general population,
but a reduction in the use of beta blockers diuretics and other
anti-hypertensive medications.
8 December 2000
Further information: Professor Annette Dobson
(co-author), tel. 0417 214 501
Associate Professor Michael Hobbs (co-author), tel. 08
9380 1258
Dr Patrick McElduff (co-author), tel. 02 4923 6901
For media copies of the report: Publications Officer,
tel. 02 6244 1032.
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications
Catalogue for availability.