Coronaries still major killer

Press, 25 August 1976, Page 4

Coronaries still major killer

Coronary heart disease remains the major cause of death in New Zealanders, says a report by the National Heart Foundation. In 1973, of the 25,290 deaths in New Zealand, heart disease was responsible for 33 per cent, compared with 35 per cent in 1969. In adults aged 25 and over, > there were 7111 deaths caused by coronary heart disease, of which 62 per cent were men and 38 per cent women, said the report. Eighty-five per cent of all cardiac deaths were caused by coronary disease. Death rates for coronary heart disease classified by age-groups were higher in Maoris than non-Maoris, particularly in Maori women. In vounger age-groups from 33 to 44 years the major trend had been the increasing mortality rates in Maori men. In non-Maori men, the previous rising

trend had continued, said the report. From 1956 to 1971 there had been a sixfold increase in the number .of women aged 25 to 44 admitted to hospital for the first time suffering from coronary heart disease. The report found that there was no explanation for this. Life expectancy figures for 1970 to 1972 remained almost the same as they were for 1965 to 1967. The expectation of life for Maori men at birth and at 40 years had fallen slightly, and Maori figures remained well below those of non-Maoris. International statistics show that, in 1972, New Zealand ranked tenth for death rates from coronary heart disease for all age-groups, the report said. In the 45 to 54 age group, New Zealand had the sixth-highest mortality rate for men and the second highest for women.