Death caused by cardiovascular disease still strikes hard in Argentina. During the last decade, mortality rates from cardiovascular conditions, including infarction, stroke, hypertension and arrhythmia, dropped a mere 6%, according to the registry of vital statistics of de National Health Ministry. In the previous decade, this rate was lower: it had reduced 22%. This difference marks the tendency towards a plateau in death reduction rates, despite the fact that during this period several developments and technical advances have improved diagnostics and therapeutics.
The consumption of unhealthy fats and sugary beverages (such as sodas) the low consumption of fruit and vegetables and the excessive intake of salt increase the risk of cardiovascular disease on the side of food. In addition, the increasing offer of cars has made people more sedentary and the growth of cities has reduced the availability of space to exercise. These have resulted in increased obesity and diabetes type 2, which can also lead to cardiovascular death.
According to the last National Poll on Risk Factors (2009, will be carried out again this year) 53% of the Argentinean adult population is overweight or obese, 34,8% has elevated pressure, 54.9% does not exercise enough, and only 4.8 % has the recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables; 25.4% always add salt to their meals, with a significantly increase compared to 2005, when the record was 23.1%. From the Ministry of Health, the Health Promotions Secretary, Máximo Diosque, commented: “Argentina is going through an epidemiological transition; this translates into fewer infectious disease cases and more cardiovascular disease cases. This said, there is better information and more intervention, such as the agreements with companies to reduce the use of salt in processed food and bakeries. Other measures include health regulations – that will remove trans fats in 2004– and the programs to promote physical activities”.
Also the implementation of the National Law for Tobacco Control would help. A study published in the Tobacco Control Magazine carried out by researchers of the Centro de Estudios de Estado y Sociedad, Buenos Aires University and the University of California, showed that if legislation (that was sanctioned by the Argentinean Congress in June 2011) was effected, 7,500 deaths by cardiovascular disease would be saved, 16,900 infarctions and 4,300 strokes in the next 8 years.
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