A STUDY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN CHILDHOOD AND YOUNG-ADULTS - RISK-FACTORS AND THE PREVENTION OF PROGRESSION IN JAPAN AND THE USA

Coronary heart disease (CHD), one of the prevalent results of atherosc lerotic disease, has been a leading cause of death in many Western cou ntries for several decades, and now is the second most prevalent cause of death in Japan. Thus attention must also be paid to atherosclerosi s in Japan. While there has been a remarkable reduction in the mortali ty rate from CHD in some Western countries, an undesirable stabilized mortality rate has recently been reported by the government of Japan. This report emphasises the importance of preventing atherosclerosis at an early stage from the viewpoint of cardiovascular pathology, using evidence from statistical data derived from autopsied cases in Japan a nd the USA.