Heart disease cases are increasing

Heart disease cases are increasing

JAKARTA (JP): Economic growth has resulted in an increase in
heart disease in Indonesia, according to the chairman of the
Indonesian Cardiology Association.

"The increase of heart disease in Jakarta and other big cities
in Indonesia has been mainly caused by fast improvements in
economic conditions. The trend has driven the people to consume
more food with high levels of carbohydrates, fat, salt and
cholesterol," association chairman Dede Kusmana said yesterday.

Speaking to journalists about National Heart Week 1995, which
will take place from Nov. 9 until Nov. 16, Dede said that another
cause of increasing incidence of heart disease is stress. He said
that living in Jakarta is stressful because daily activities are
marked by tight economic competition.

National Heart Week, which is being organized by the
Indonesian Heart Foundation in cooperation with private
companies, will include seminars, social activities and sports
events.

Dede said that, ideally, the economic development of a country
should not sacrifice the health of its people.

He said that the Japanese are the best at taking care of their
health and that their healthy eating habits have given Japan one
of the world's lowest levels of heart disease.

In Jakarta, by contrast, heart disease is the foremost cause
of death, Dede said.

"According to a health survey conducted in Jakarta in 1992,
heart attack is the number one killer here," he said.

He said that the 1992 survey also found that 16.9 percent of
deaths registered in Jakarta were caused by heart attacks.

"This is very high compared with 5.9 percent in the 1980s and
1.5 percent in the 1970s," he said.

Dede said 400 Jakartans have been hospitalized with heart
trouble every year since 1992.

However, Dede remains optimistic about the prospects for a
healthier urban population here.

"Indonesia can be a modern country while at the same time
having the lowest ranking for heart disease," he said.

He said that the keys to having a healthier heart are
increasing physical exercise and consuming more vegetables and
fruit. (03)