• coronary heart disease

In Britain, approximately 150 000 deaths each year are attributed to coronary heart disease (CHD).¹ CHD has been estimated to cost around £10 billion per annum, much of this through lost earnings.¹ For some time, CHD has been a national priority, with targets set for reducing CHD mortality.² Mortality rates from CHD have declined steadily in Britain over the past two decades.³ However, the reduction in CHD mortality has been more dramatic in other countries including the USA and Australia.

The prevalence of CHD in the community is determined by a number of factors including the incidence of new disease, survival thereafter, and demographic trends. A fall in CHD incidence would reduce prevalence, while improved survival and an aging population would increase it. Therefore, the net effect will depend on the balance of these influences. Until now, data on population prevalence trends have been sparse. …