title: Trends in cardiovascular risk factors in Auckland, 1982 to 1987.
abstract: This paper examines trends in Auckland over a five year period (1982-87) in the major cardiovascular risk factors: serum total cholesterol, blood pressure and cigarette smoking; trends in body mass index are also presented. The data came from two independent random samples of European people aged 40-64 years chosen from the central Auckland electoral rolls in 1982 (915 men and 476 women) and 1986-88 (503 men and 359 women); response rates were over 80% in both surveys. In the five year period self reported smoking declined by 22% in men and 10% in women; the decline was particularly marked in upper socioeconomic men and women aged 55-64 years. There were no consistent changes in either blood pressure or body mass index levels. Serum cholesterol levels, after adjustment for the change in laboratory methods, declined by approximately 1% in both men and women. Cardiovascular risk factor levels remain high in Auckland; comprehensive population based prevention programmes, such as Heartbeat (New Zealand), are urgently required in New Zealand.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health, University of Auckland, School of Medicine.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Beaglehole
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Yee
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Small
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Scragg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012923:Social Class; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002784:Cholesterol