Nutrition and cardiovascular disease in Finland since the early 1970s: a success story.

This paper describes the Finnish experience on the population strategy to prevent cardiovascular disease with special reference to diet. Systematic work to lower the risk factors of cardiovascular disease started in the early 1970s with the North Karelia project and rapidly expanded to cover the whole country. The main aims were to change the type of fats used, to lower sodium intake and to increase vegetable and fruit consumption. Concurrently, a comprehensive monitoring system was developed including regular population surveys every five years. During the period 1972-1997 major changes took place in the diet as well as in blood pressure and serum cholesterol levels. At the same time, cardiovascular mortality decreased dramatically. The Finnish experience shows that dietary changes are possible but require a persistent and comprehensive intervention.