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Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) Deaths

Ischaemic Heart Disease or IHD is characterized by a reduction in blood supplied to the heart caused by disease of the blood vessels supplying the heart muscle. The two most common fatal forms of IHD are myocardial infarction (heart attack) and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). IHD was the leading cause of death in Simcoe Muskoka between 2005 and 2009 and was listed as the primary cause for more than 3,200 deaths, which accounted for 17 per cent of all deaths during that five-year period.

The age-standardized mortality rate for IHD in Simcoe Muskoka for all ages and sexes in 2009 was 87.6 (80.8, 94.3) per 100,000 population, which was significantly higher than the Ontario rate of 76.4 (75.1, 77.7) per 100,000 population.

Figure one shows the trend in IHD mortality rates for Simcoe Muskoka and Ontario over the ten-year period between 2000 and 2009. The rates in both Simcoe Muskoka and Ontario have declined significantly over this ten-year period, with an average decrease of approximately five per cent per year (-4.5% (-5.8%, -3.1%) in Simcoe Muskoka and -5.4% (-5.9%, -5.0%) in Ontario). There was a small but significantly higher IHD mortality experience in Simcoe Muskoka relative to Ontario during the ten years between 2000 and 2009, with a standardized mortality ratio (SMR) of 1.05 (1.03, 1.08).

Figure One

By Sex

In 2009, the age-standardized mortality rate for IHD among Simcoe Muskoka males was 126.8 (114.3, 139.3) per 100,000, which was more than twice the female rate of 55.5 (48.7, 62.3) per 100,000. The 2009 age-standardized IHD mortality rate for Ontario males was significantly lower than the rate for Simcoe Muskoka males; however, the rate for Ontario females did not differ significantly from Simcoe Muskoka female rate.

Figure two shows the trend in IHD mortality rates for males and females in Simcoe Muskoka and Ontario over the ten-year period between 2000 and 2009. IHD related mortality decreased significantly among males and females during this time period in both Simcoe Muskoka and Ontario (see figure two).

Figure Two

By Age Group

The risk of dying from IHD increases exponentially with age (see figure three). The age-specific rate of IHD deaths between 2000 and 2009 (combined) in Simcoe Muskoka was highest among those 75 years and older at 1450.5 (1407.7,1493.3) deaths per 100,000. This was more than four times the rate for those 65 to 74 years of age and more than 20 times the rate for those 45 to 64 years of age.

Figure Three

Page Last Modified: Wednesday, 21 November 2012.