Trends in mortality from hypertensive and cerebrovascular diseases in Singapore, 1959 to 1983

Secular trends in mortality from hypertensive and cerebrovascular diseases have been studied in Singapore from vital statistics for the years from 1959 to 1983. Males were found to have higher mortality than females from hypertensive disease (by about 25%) and cerebrovascular disease (by about 20%). After an initial slight rise mortality from hypertensive disease fell markedly from the mid-1960s (slightly more in males than females) but the rate of decline has levelled off in the last few years. A more modest decline in cerebrovascular disease mortality started in the early 1970s in males and the mid-1970s in females, with the decline to date being slightly more in males. These declines started at the same point in time in both sexes and in all age groups, with the rate of decline falling with age. The timing and patterns of these declines are consistent with the theory that treatment of hypertension has played a significant role.