Risk factors for coronary heart disease in the black population of the Cape Peninsula. The BRISK study.
A cross-sectional study of risk factors for ischaemic heart disease (IHD) in a random sample of 986 black people aged 15-64 years living in the Cape Peninsula revealed a population at lower risk for IHD than other South Africans. Blood pressures of 140/95 mmHg or above were found in 14.4% of males and 13.7% of females. Fifty-two per cent of males and 8.4% of females smoked, while 16.5% of males and 25.8% of females had a total cholesterol (TC) level imparting risk for developing IHD. In this population the TC level is not a good surrogate measure for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol because of the high level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) found in this population. A protective HDLC/TC ratio of 20% was found in 96% of males and 96.1% of females. When considering the three major reversible IHD risk factors at a high level of risk, 30.8% of males and 12.5% of females had at least one such a risk factor. The population was frequently exposed to the media, with 80% listening to the radio every day and 55% watching television at least once a week. This suggests that a healthy lifestyle could be promoted successfully by means of these media. In addition, schools should promote a healthy lifestyle and the prevention of chronic degenerative diseases should be incorporated into the evolving primary health care services in South Africa.
Steyn
K
K
Centre for Epidemiological Research in Southern Africa, Research Institute for Nutritional Diseases, Parowvallei, CP.
Jooste
P L
PL
Bourne
L
L
Fourie
J
J
Badenhorst
C J
CJ
Bourne
D E
DE
Langenhoven
M L
ML
Lombard
C J
CJ
Truter
H
H
Katzenellenbogen
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population