Trends in CHD and risk factors at age 55-64 in the Framingham Study.

In a preliminary analysis to assess secular changes in cardiac morbidity, mortality, and risk factors in the Framingham Heart Study, there is a suggestion of decline in coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality in women but not in men. For subjects age 55 to 64 in 1953, 1963 and 1973, the ten-year CHD mortality rates per 1000 were 93, 84 and 99 for men; and 34, 39, and 24 for women, respectively. In contrast, CHD prevalence rates have increased significantly for men (102, 134 and 159 per 1000) and marginally for women (55, 65 and 69 per 1000). Incidence of CHD increased slightly in men (187, 210 and 208 per 1000 over the three decades) and decreased in women (131, 132, 110). Some coronary risk factors improved, while others changed unfavourably.