Congenital heart disease in forty years of age and over. Prevalence, relative incidence and clinical features.
The number of patients of C.H.D. over 40 years old was 40 (male 26, female 14) among 43285 (male 30320, female 12965). Its item: ASD 24, VSD 6, PDA 3, PS 3, ECD 2, Coarctation of the Aorta 1, Eisenmenger whose shunt site was unclear 1. The total prevalence rate was 0.92 per 1000 and female showed slightly higher rate than male (male 0.86 per 1000, female 1.08 per 1000). When it was compared with rheumatic valvular diseases, the ratio of both male and female was about 1/3. C.H.D. is assumed to decrease to about 1/3 or less between the period of school age and the middle age, but the prevalence rate over 60 years old was never lower than the overall prevalence investigated. C.H.D. in the middle and old aged should be kept in mind while examination.