The new old epidemic of coronary heart disease

OBJECTIVES: This study quantified the consequences for prevalence of increased survival of coronary heart disease (CHD) in the Netherlands from 1980 to 1993. METHODS: A multistage life table fitted observed mortality and registration rates from the nationwide hospital register. The outcome was prevalence by age, sex, period, and disease state. RESULTS: The prevalence of CHD from 1980 to 1993 was 4.4% (men, aged 25 to 84 years) and 1.4% (women, aged 25 to 84 years). Between 1980-1983 and 1990-1993, the incidence changed little, but age-adjusted prevalence increased by 19% (men) and 59% (women). CONCLUSIONS: Sharply decreasing mortality but near-constant attack rates of CHD caused distinct increases in prevalence, particularly among the elderly.