Predictions of a Surge in U.S. Heart Disease Rates
Recently the American Heart Association (AHA) came out with a report on meeting their benchmarks for reductions in heart disease and stroke. They claimed that their 2010 goals for reductions in these areas were met for coronary heart disease and almost met for stroke. A study from the Archives of Internal Medicine published in February 2008 state unequivocally that the reductions in coronary heart disease have ended. The question of whether this termination of the reduction trend is due to rising obesity and diabetes awaits further study.
The study, conducted in Minnesota and with the University of British Columbia in Vancover, looked at the autopsy data from residents of Olmsted County, MN who died between 1981 and 2004 from unnatural causes. The autopsies showed that many already had clogged arteries and more than 8% had significant disease. During the study period it was found that of 425 autopsies of people aged 16-64 83% had the beginnings of coronary heart disease.
Researchers stated that declines in the rate of coronary heart disease ended after 1995 and began to climb after the year 2000. Furthermore, it was stated that the dietary quality of individuals studied who had hypertension from 1999-2004 had declined. Diets over the past 15 years have gotten worse, not better it was stated by Dr. Phillip Mellen, a researcher who conducted a second study in the same journal (Archives of Internal Medicine). He compared data from 1988-1997 and data from 1999-2004 from a cohort of hypertensive individuals. The data was from a federal study that analyzed national diet and nutritional trends.
The researchers stated that they will be conducting another study to determine if obesity and/or diabetes played a role in the development of significant disease conditions and specifically, the findings of the beginnings of coronary heart disease. Blame was put on sedentary lifestyles, the growth of fast food chains, larger portion sizes at home and in restaurants, and an increased consumption of high fructose corn syrup.
About the Author
Kathy Shattler received her Master of Science degree from Michigan State University in E. Lansing Michigan in Human Nutrition. Her twenty-two years of practice includes holding positions as a Lecturer, Chief Clinical Dietitian and Program Manager. Kathy is the Founder of Nutri-Care Consulting and is currently the Nutrition Director of www.CEU4U.COM, an online continuing education management company for Registered Dietitians and Dietetic Technicians.
