Study gets to heart of health problems
A new study has revealed that the state of health of the ageing Swiss is alarming.
The Swiss Cardiology Foundation found that a large proportion of Swiss over 50 suffer from high blood pressure and other cardiovascular ailments.
The first results from the foundation’s LIFE study were presented on Monday at a cardiology symposium in the mountain resort of Davos.
According to the study, more than a third of those surveyed had either suffered themselves from cardiovascular disease or someone in their immediate family had.
About 45 per cent said they had high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, while 30 per cent complained of stress.
Seventeen per cent of those polled were found to have very high blood pressure, and 10 per cent were considered to be obese.
The authors of the study warn that the Swiss are not doing enough to take care of themselves, and that many urgently need a change of lifestyle.
Around 5,000 people were surveyed over a two-month period in 2004 in Geneva, Lausanne, Basel, Bern and Zurich.
The average age of those taking part in the survey was 61 for women and 59 for men.
swissinfo
5,000 people took part in the study.
The average age of those surveyed was 61 for women and 59 for men.
44% suffer from high blood pressure.
46% have high cholesterol levels.
45% are overweight.
10% are obese.
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