Abstract

According to the Health Household surveys the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases as 1.1 per 1000 population in 1972 and 5.9 per 1000 in 1980. As a cause of death, cardiovascular diseases rank third (after respiratory infections and diarrheal disease), causing 9.9% of all deaths in 1980. Among the old population (65 years and over), cardiovascular diseases rank second after infectious diseases (25% of which is pulmonary tb). A community based survey of the population over 50 years of age in Ambarawa found that 20% are suffering from heart disease : ischemic h.d. (58.5%), hypertensive h.d. (34%), and pulmonic h.d. (75%), while 33% are suffering from hypertension. About 4% of the population examined have suffered a stroke. Hypertension is found in 6% of the population in coastal areas and 2.8% in inland/highland areas of Central Java. Analysis of hospital data showed a shift in the pattern of heart diseases starting in 1970's when ischemic heart diseases became more frequent than rheumatic heart disease. Prevention of cardiovascular diseases, especially efforts to reduce risk factors like smoking, lack of exercise and changes towards a western diet have to be intensified by the goverment in close cooperation with the community.