Mortalidad por cardiopatía isquémica en Cuba. Relación con la dieta y el colesterol sérico

Many studies have proved the relationship between saturated dietary fats, total serum cholesterol and death from atherosclerotic diseases. The curve of death from ischemic heart disease in our country rise until 1990 when it began dropping to reach 25 % of the peak value. The rise was linked to a high consumption of saturated dietary fats shown by a concommitant increase in serum cholesterol levels whereas the drop began with the so-called "Special period" in Cuba and was characterized by decreased fat intake and reduced sedentary practices and obesity in our population. The decline in death from ischemic heart disease is lower than it was expected according to the lowering of total serum cholesterol level values reported in the population. This could be derived from the incidence of other atherosclerosis risk factors yet to be studied in our environment.