Mortality from Ischaemic Heart Disease in the Armed Forces 1973–1984

This study investigates mortality from ischaemic heart disease during 1973-1984 in males under 55 years of age in the three Armed Services. Comparisons are drawn within and between each service and with ischaemic heart disease (IHD) mortality in the UK male population. Evidence of a significant decline in the Army death rate over this 12 year period has been found. Officers in each Service are seen to have a much higher rate of mortality, ie death rate per 100,000 at risk, than other ranks but a much lower rate when age distribution relative to the UK population is taken into account as indicated by the Standardised Mortality Ratios. The Army other ranks in the 25-39 age range are identified as a particularly high risk group for IHD. The wide ranging effects of social habits and the peculiarities of military life style may go part way to explaining the diversity between officers and other ranks and between the services and the general UK male population.