Mortality from all causes, and from ischaemic heart disease, in the Australian capital cities.

A comparison was made of mortality from all causes, and from ischaemic heart disease, in the six Australian capital cities, for the years 1970, 1971 and 1972. Both rates were significantly higher in Brisbane and Sydney than in the other cities. Ninety per cent of the excess deaths in Brisbane men, and a large part of the excess deaths in Brisbane women and Sydney people of both sexes, were due to coronary disease. There was no relationship between either total or coronary mortality, and water softness or its magnesium content. So far these differences are unexplained.