Mortality Cardiovascular Diseases Evolution in Toledo Province, 1975-1994

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the developed countries. The cardiovascular mortality varies throughout the different parts of Spain. In this study, an analysis is made of the 1975-1994 trend in the cardiovascular death rate due to heart disease and ischemic heart disease among those falling within the 35-74 age range in the province of Toledo. Methods: Based on the deaths recorded by the Spanish National Statistics Institute, standardized rates were calculated by the direct method for the causes selected. The trend is assessed based on the mean percentage variance in the rates. The male gender-related ratios are given by causes. Results: A markedly downward trend is found for the cardiovascular death rate as a whole, showing an average drop of 2.58% among males and of 4.78% among females. The decrease is less for heart disease in general – 1.13% among men and 2.68% among women. The trend in the mortality due to ischemic heart disease shows no specific trend, it being possible to term these rates as being stable. For all of the causes, a greater number of deaths among males are recorded, especially with regard to ischemic heart disease, showing a male/female ratio = 1.75. Conclusions: The cardiovascular mortality in Toledo is dropping similarly to the nationwide rate. The heart disease group as a whole is undergoing a gradual decrease. The stabilization of the death rate due to ischemic heart disease can be explained by the fact that Toledo has low rates as compared to the rest of Spain.