[Analysis of cardiovascular mortality in the population of three cities].

From public health perspective cardiovascular diseases are the major challenge in Poland. Monitoring the risk of death and its spatial variation is important tool in the assessment of environmental determinants of health. Crude and age-standardized cardiovascular mortality in the period of 1999-2001 in TriCity (Gdansk, Sopot, Gdynia) was assessed in this work. The source of information was the official death registry that provides complete records of all deaths in Pomeranian province. These records contain detailed specification of the cause of death and place of residence. A cause of death was coded according to International Statistical Classification of Diseases, Injuries, and Causes of Death (Tenth Revision). Overall cardiovascular mortality (I00-I99) and four disease-specific mortality rates were analysed in this study. The following specific causes of death were included into the study: coronary artery disease (I20-I25), myocardial infarction (I21), sudden cardiac death (I46) and stroke (I60-I69). The highest crude mortality from cardiovascular diseases was observed for Sopot city. However, after standardization the difference has diminished or even reversed. There were spatial differences in cardiovascular mortality in those three cities. Demography and social conditions could be the explanations for observed differentiations. Differences in age distribution that is the biggest proportion of elderly people in Sopot may reflect social patterns of environmental conditions observed.