Introduction
"Heart Diseases" refers to a broad spectrum of diseases related to the
heart. Among different types of heart diseases, coronary heart disease
constitutes a major portion of the mortality. The disease occurs when
cholesterol layers deposit on the inner wall of coronary arteries and
narrow the lumens of the arteries. The process reduces blood supply to
cardiac muscle and causes exertional chest pain known as angina.
Situation in Hong Kong
Classification of diseases and causes of death is based on the International
Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD)
10th Revision from 2001 onwards. Figures from 2001 onwards may not be
comparable with figures for previous years which were compiled based on
the ICD 9th Revision. Hence, caution should be exercised when interpreting
the trend of diseases across 2000 and 2001.
Heart diseases corresponds to codes 390-429 in ICD-9 and I00-I09, I11,
I13, I20-I51 in ICD-10. Coronary heart disease corresponds to codes 410-414
in ICD-9 and I20-I25 in ICD-10.
Heart diseases claimed about 73 300 in-patient discharges and deaths in all hospitals and 6 414 deaths in 2009. They were the second commonest cause of deaths in Hong Kong and accounting for 15.6% of all deaths in 2009. The crude death rates due to heart diseases were 101.5 for male and 82.8 for female per 100 000 population of respective sex in 2009. Coronary heart disease was the dominating component, making up 68.0% of heart diseases deaths. The crude death rates due to coronary heart diseases were 74.5 for male and 51.4 for female per 100 000 population of respective sex in 2009. Up to 2000, the age-standardized death rates for heart diseases and coronary heart disease have declined by about one-third and one-fifth respectively over the last 20 years. Age-standardized death rates due to heart diseases were 63.6 for male and 37.6 for female per 100 000 standard population in 2009. Age-standardized death rates due to coronary heart disease were 46.3 for male and 23.1 for female per 100 000 standard population in 2009. Based on Population Health Survey 2003/04, 1.6% of people aged 15 and above had doctor-diagnosed coronary heart disease.
Number of registered deaths and crude death rate
of heart diseases
by sex, 1981-2000
Number of registered deaths and crude death rate
of heart diseases
by sex, 2001-2009
Age-standardized death rate* of heart diseases
by sex, 1981-2000
Age-standardized death rate* of heart diseases
by sex, 2001-2009
Number of registered deaths and crude death rate
of coronary heart diseases
by sex, 1981-2000
Number of registered deaths and crude death rate
of coronary heart diseases
by sex, 2001-2009
Age-standardized death rate* of coronary heart disease
by sex, 1981-2000
Age-standardized death rate* of coronary heart
disease
by sex, 2001-2009
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Notes:
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*
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Age-standardized death rates are compiled based on a new world standard population specified in GPE Discussion Paper Series: No.31, EIP/GPE/EBD, World Health Organization, 2001. |
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Data in the above charts from 1996 onwards are compiled based on the population estimates under the "resident population" approach instead of the "extended de facto" approach. Also, the Population By-census conducted in July to August 2006 provides a benchmark for revising the population estimates compiled since the 2001 Population Census. |
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Figures from 2001 onwards are compiled based on ICD-10
and thus may not be comparable with figures for previous years compiled
based on ICD-9. |
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Sources:
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Census and Statistics Department
Department of Health |
Symptoms
People with coronary heart disease may experience central crushing chest
pain, precipitated by exertion and relieved by rest. The pain may radiate
to the arm, shoulder, neck and jaw. It is of greater severity and longer
duration in a heart attack. Other symptoms include palpitation, dizziness,
sweating, nausea and weakness. It may be associated with breathlessness
and bilateral leg swelling when the patient is in heart failure.
Risk factors
There are many risk factors for coronary heart disease and many of them
are preventable or treatable. They include hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking, diabetes mellitus, obesity, lack of physical activity and chronic stress. Family history
of the disease also increases the risk.
Prevention
To prevent coronary heart disease, people should never smoke, follow
a balanced diet and avoid food with high cholesterol and animal
fat. Regular physical activity and maintaining optimum body weight are
also beneficial. People with any underlying illnesses such as hypertension
or diabetes should receive appropriate medical follow-up.
Related information
To learn more about prevention of heart diseases and healthy lifestyle,
please browse the website of the Health Zone.
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