One-year follow-up of a therapeutic lifestyle intervention targeting cardiovascular disease risk

Abstract

"Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in Canada and elsewhere, accounting for 36% of all deaths in this country.1 The total cost of cardiovascular disease to the health care system in 1998 was estimated at nearly $18.5 million, which accounts for a striking 11.6% of the costs of all illnesses.1 Although ageadjusted mortality rates for cardiovascular disease have fallen modestly over the past 3 decades,2 the absolute number of people with cardiovascular disease or related heart problems will continue to rise as the baby boom generation ages."