Cardiovascular diseases in Chile.

In 1938, Chile became the first developing country to establish a state health system for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Although prevalence of CVD risk factors (smoking, high cholesterol and triglycerides, hypertension, and atherosclerosis) is lower than in industrialized countries, over the last 50 years CVD incidence in Chile has increased considerably. Cardiovascular disease is diagnosed in 25% of outpatients in departments of the National Health Service. Hypertension is the first cause of morbidity among the adult population (10%). Between 1960 and 1980, CVD mortality increased from 14 to comprise 27% of all deaths. Age-specific mortality for ischemic heart disease increased during the same period from 407 to 699 per 100,000 population. Surveys of the general adult population showed a prevalence of hypertension of almost 20%. Community hypertension follow-up programs obtained only 50% compliance, and blood pressure was normalized in only one-third of hypertensive patients. It is probable that the low standard of living may have influenced the poor results of prevention programs.