Principles

Cardiovascular diseases are the most significant public health problem in the western world. During the last few years, there has been a clear decrease in overall cardiovascular mortality, and a shift in cardiovascular mortality to older age groups. However, morbidity is still a problem among working-age people; in Finland, more than half of all patients undergoing elaborate cardiovascular examinations are of working age. Research has significantly improved the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and the possibilities of addressing cardiovascular problems. The Finnish Foundation for Cardiovascular Research was founded in 1970 by Suomen Sydäntautiliitto ry (the Finnish Heart disease Association) and the Finnish Heart Foundation.