Coronary heart disease: key points

The incidence of and mortality from coronary heart disease (CHD) have both been falling in Scotland over the period 2000/01 to 2009/2010. There was an apparent slight increase in the incidence of acute myocardial infarctions (AMI or heart attacks) between 2007/08 and 2008/09 which was due to the change in the clinical definition of acute myocardial infarction, based on more sensitive laboratory tests. In 2009/10 there was further slight increase in the incidence of AMI.

Incidence

• The incidence of CHD is higher amongst men, the elderly and in deprived areas of Scotland.
• The main risk factors are:
  • high blood cholesterol
  • physical inactivity
  • smoking
  • high blood pressure
  • obesity
  • poor diet
  • type 2 diabetes
  • socio-economic deprivation.
• The number of CHD incidence has fallen by almost 20% in the period from 2000/01 to 2009/10.

Mortality

• Despite a marked decrease over time, Scottish CHD mortality rates remain amongst the highest in western Europe.
• The rate for under-75s (standardised by age) continued to fall in 2010 and the Scottish target of a 60% reduction between 1995 and 2010 has been achieved, 60.7% .
• Between 2008/09 and 2009/10 the the age-sex standardised mortality rate per 100,000 population decreased by 7.8% .
• CHD mortality is strongly related to age, with much higher rates among elderly people.
• Within Scotland, rates remain higher in west central Scotland and in deprived areas.