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Heart Diseases

Heart Diseases

12 January 2023

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.

Heart diseases correspond 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 71300 inpatient discharges and inpatient deaths in all hospitals, and 6561 registered deaths in 2020. They were the third commonest cause of deaths in Hong Kong and accounting for 13.0% of all deaths in 2020. The crude death rates due to heart diseases were 105.1 for male and 73.1 for female per 100000 population of respective sex in 2020. Coronary heart disease was the dominating component, making up 58.8% of heart diseases deaths. The crude death rates due to coronary heart disease were 68.5 for male and 37.4 for female per 100000 population of respective sex in 2020. The age-standardised death rates due to heart diseases were 46.3 for male and 23.4 for female per 100000 standard population in 2020. The age-standardised death rates due to coronary heart disease were 30.5 for male and 11.9 for female per 100000 standard population in 2020.

Population Health Survey 2020-22 revealed that 1.6% of persons aged 15 or above reported doctor-diagnosed coronary heart disease, with a higher prevalence in males (2.1%) than in females (1.2%). The prevalence increased with age, from 0.1% for people aged 15-24 to 7.7% for people aged 85 or above.

Number of registered deaths and crude death rate of heart diseases by sex, 1981-2020 (View)

Age-standardised death rate* of heart diseases
by sex, 1981-2020

Age-standardised death rate of heart diseases by sex, 1981-2020

Number of registered deaths and crude death rate of coronary heart disease by sex, 1981-2020 (View)

Age-standardised death rate* of coronary heart disease
by sex, 1981-2020

Age-standardised death rate of coronary heart disease by sex, 1981-2020

Notes:

Include both inpatient discharges and inpatient deaths in all hospitals with heart diseases as the principal diagnosis in that episode of hospitalisation.

  Include registered deaths with heart diseases as the underlying cause of death.
  * Age-standardised death rates are compiled based on the world standard population specified in GPE Discussion Paper Series: No.31, EIP/GPE/EBD, World Health Organization, 2001. 

 

 

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.

 

 

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.

Sources:

 

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 fat (especially saturated fat and trans fat). Regular physical activity, maintaining an optimum body weight and waist circumference, and reducing stress are also beneficial. Of note, evidence on possible heart benefit of alcohol consumption remains controversial. For non-drinkers, they should not start drinking, assuming that alcohol consumption can improve their heart health. Drinkers are urged to refrain from alcohol consumption. People with any underlying illnesses such as hypertension or diabetes should receive appropriate medical follow-up.


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