Mortality from cardiovascular diseases in various countries, with special reference to atherosclerotic heart disease: a preliminary analysis.

Data on cardiovascular mortality, by sex and age, in selected countries were analysed for the purpose of demonstrating geographical variations.In accordance with the system adopted in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases, Injuries, and Causes of Death, causes were divided into four groups: (1) arteriosclerotic and degenerative heart disease; (2) vascular lesions affecting the central nervous system; (3) other diseases of the heart; and (4) certain other diseases of the circulatory system.The discrepancies noted point to the need for a thorough investigation of the underlying causes of cardiovascular deaths in order to promote comparability of recording and classification.