title: Epidemiology of coronary heart disease in a rural Punjab population--prevalence and correlation with various risk factors.
abstract: An epidemiological study to find out the prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and the influence of risk factors on the prevalence of CHD in a total rural community of Punjab was conducted in Pohir, situated near Ludhiana. A total of 1100 individuals (623 males and 477 females) out of a possible 1617 individuals (> 30 yrs) living in 3 villages were studied. In each case a detailed history, physical examination and a 12 lead electrocardiogram (ECG) were recorded. Samples for blood sugar and serum cholesterol were taken. By Epstein's criteria of ECG (using the Minnesota coding), the prevalence of CHD was 30.8/1000, being higher in women (37.7/1000) than in men (25.6/1000). By a clinical judgement method considering history, ECG and treadmill testing (TMT) collectively, prevalence was 31.8/1000, being still higher in women (33.5/1000) than in men (30.5/1000). The prevalence of various risk factors like hypertension, smoking, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes was found to be 14.5%, 8.9%, 7.0% and 4.6% respectively. Of the various risk factors tested, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and a positive family history showed an association with CHD. Only 38% of patients with CHD, 37% of the hypertensives and 52% of the diabetics were aware of its presence. The knowledge in the general population about risk factors causing CHD is poor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Preventive Medicine and Biochemistry, Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana, Chandigarh.
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Wander
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Khurana
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gulati
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Sachar
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khurana
authors.forename: I S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Anand
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010808:Physical Examination; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology