Objective: To analyse trends in mortality diseases of the circulatory system (DCS) and from ischemic heart disease (IHD) and cerebrovascular disease (CVD) separately, over the period 1970-2002 in the Czech Republic,EU, Europe and the averages for Central and South European Countries (CSEC). Methods and results: Data were derived from the World Health Organization database. In the Czech Republic, DCS mortality in men rose from 795/100 000 in 1970 to 834/100 000 in 1990 and declined thereafter to 560/100 000 in 2002 (-330%). In women, the fall was from 559/100 thousands in 1970 to 380/100 000 in 2002 (-32%). IHD mortality in Czech men slightly rose in the period between 1970-1990 and decreased to 243/100 000 in 2002 (-40%), in Czech women IHD mortality decreased by 41% in the period under follow-up and was 134/100 000 in 2002. A > 35% decline in CVD was registered in both sexes in the Czech Republic. In the European Union long-term trends were favourable for mortality from all DCS as well as from IHD and CVD for both sexes. For the whole of Europe only a slight decrease in the followed-up mortality rates during the period of 1970-2002 in both sexes is to be seen. Also only a slight decrease in mortality from DSC in both sexes in seen in CSEC during the follow-up period. IHD and CVD mortality in the CSEC countries was almost stable during the period under follow-up. Conclusion: In the Czech Republic, the standardised mortality rates from DCS, IHD and CVD were the highest as compared to the situation in the EU, Europe and CSEC at the beginning of the following period and mostly also in the period between 1970-1990. However, the situation has changed since 1990 and the trends in mortality from DCS, IHD and CVD are favourable. Still, mortality rates from CVD, IHD and CVD are high as compared to the EU.

        Key words: cardiovascular diseases - mortality - trends - Czech Republic - Europe.