The number of patients with such chronic diseases as high blood pressure and cerebrovascular diseases are increasing sharply.

According to the National Health Insurance Corporation, a total of four-point-eight million people received treatment for high blood pressure last year, up by 370-thousand from 2006.

In addition, one-point-nine million were treated for diabetes, 650-thousand for cerebrovascular diseases, and nearly one million people for heart disease in 2007, all up markedly.

The health insurer attributes the sharp increase in chronic diseases to a rising elderly population, the spread of Western-style diet, smoking, drinking and lack of physical exercise.