Vessel Wall in Athero- and Thrombogenesis: Studies in the USSR

Mankind in the second half of the twentieth century has encountered a number of social and economic problems, which, as never before, determine its future. Among the main problems facing medicine, meriting distinction is organization of the struggle against the increase of cardiovascular and oncological diseases which, with the birthrate, are the main demographic indices of our planet. According to the World Health-Organization, the deathrate from diseases of the cardiovascular system has risen by 60% in recent years, and there has been a sharp increase of myocardial infarctions and cases of sudden death in young people aged 25-30. The "geography" of heart and blood vessel diseases has changed: a dramatic increase of morbidity has been recorded in rural regions, and in districts where 10-20 years ago the native population was practically unaffected by atherosclerosis. Diseases of the cardiovascular system have become widespread among women as well as men. Cardiovascular diseases tax the national economy: they are responsible for over half the mortality among people at the prime of their productive life. More than 50% of temporary disability is also accounted for by ischemic heart disease, hypertension, stroke, etc.