[The absence of risk factors for coronary disease in Yanomami Indians and the influence of acculturation on arterial pressure].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the hypothesis that hypertension and coronary heart disease are "civilization diseases", analyzing the distribution of their antecedents in an Indian population and observing the influence of acculturation on blood pressure.


METHODS
Seven hundred and twenty-five Yanomami Indians of both sexes, ages above 14 years, inhabitants of eight villages in Roraima and Amazonas states were examined. Measures related to all classical coronary risk factors were carried out and urine samples were collected to measure electrolytes.


RESULTS
None of the known coronary risk factors were found. The blood pressure levels were low and did not increase with increasing age. There was influence of acculturation on blood pressure and it was in part mediated by increase in body weight and sodium intake.


CONCLUSIONS
The absence of hypertension and other coronary risk factors and the increase of blood pressure with acculturation, among an isolated population, strongly suggest that these diseases are "civilization diseases".
Mancilha-Carvalho
J J
JJ
Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, UFRJ.
Carvalho
J V
JV
Lima
J A
JA
Sousa e Silva
N A
NA
D000069:Acculturation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007199:Indians, South American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008019:Life Style; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors
Ausência de fatores de risco de doença coronária em indios Yanomami e influência da aculturação na pressão arterial.