Leif Andersen-Berg is a healthy 77-year-old. He himself believes that he can thank cardiac specialists and preventive treatment for that. – You never know, but I had probably experienced a heart attack. In 2004, he had two blood vessels to his heart blocked out that were about to become completely blocked. – It was just in time. His father was a heavy smoker and only 71 when he died of a massive heart attack. Leif has never been a smoker. But has been on cholesterol- and blood pressure-lowering medication for nearly 25 years. Leif has a number of medications that he takes regularly to prevent heart attacks. Photo: Tonje Grimstad / news Leif has been active, avoided fat and tried to eat fish a couple of times a week. – I live a healthy life so far. I have to say that. A heart attack epidemic has been beaten back Leif is part of a medical success story, says senior physician and professor Kaare Harald Bønaa, who is head of the Norwegian Heart Attack Register. – He has received good cardiac medical treatment for many years, and is enjoying it – as many Norwegians do. Senior physician at St. Olavs and professor at NTNU Kaare Harald Bønaa. Photo: NTNU Fatal heart attacks have fallen from over 400 per 100,000 inhabitants in 1970 to around 60 per 100,000 now. That means a reduction of around 85 per cent in 50 years, according to figures from the Cause of Death Register. – What has been a heart attack epidemic, which started after the Second World War, is now on a strong comeback, says the professor. – What is the reason for that? – The most important reason is probably the change in lifestyle. The most important risk factors for heart attack are high cholesterol, smoking and high blood pressure. In addition to the fact that many live healthier lives, people have also been helped by better medicines to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. – The cholesterol level has been reduced by 20-30 per cent in the last 30-40 years. Blood pressure has gone down and, not least, there are fewer smokers, says Bønaa. In particular, blunting the smoke has contributed. – In the 70s, 60-70 per cent of middle-aged Norwegian men smoked. Today, less than 10 percent smoke. – Everyone should know their cholesterol value It was his wife who insisted on Leif and the GP that he needed to be checked in 2004. It turned out that he had very clogged arteries to the heart. She is glad that she trusted her gut when Leif had symptoms that worried her. – It is somewhat important that you keep an eye on each other, says Elin Andersen-Berg. – She means everything, says Leif. Leif and Elin in the kitchen at home. Photo: Tonje Grimstad / news Most people who have heart attacks are men. In 2021, around 13,600 people had a heart attack in Norway. Although the number sounds high, this is a drop of 40 per cent in just 10 years, figures from FHI show. The vast majority, and more than before, survive heart attacks. Because the heart attacks are often weaker and the treatment is better. In the 1960s, 20–25 percent of middle-aged men admitted to hospital with heart attacks died. In 2021, this figure was only 2–3 per cent. According to Bønaas, the fact that Norwegians have become much heavier in recent years does not seem to have affected the risk of heart attack in any particular way. The professor believes we can further reduce the number of heart attacks if we are all more aware of avoiding the dangerous fat inside the blood vessels. – All adults should know their cholesterol value, he says. Important to be active Secretary General of the National Association for Heart and Lung Disease Frode Jahren also hopes that more people will take a trip to the doctor to have their cholesterol level and blood pressure checked. Frode Jahren, secretary general of LHL – Then it’s eating more plant-based, it’s also moving. Does not need to be hard training, but to be in physical activity. That is the most important thing, says Jahren. Jahren is also optimistic about the future. – It is still possible to significantly reduce the number of heart attacks if people follow the advice. A furry heart friend, Leif got the dog Poppy from the family when he turned 70 and retired. They go for a walk for about an hour every day. They have been doing that for seven years. – Regardless of the weather, you always have to go for a walk with the dog, so that probably helps, smiles Leif. Poppy is careful to air Leif several times a day. Photo: Tonje Grimstad / news
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Fatal heart attacks have fallen by 85 percent – news Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country
