title: Risk factors for coronary heart disease in the white community of Durban.
abstract: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death among the white and Indian populations of Durban. This was a community-based study of the white population of Durban, which is predominantly English-speaking. There were 396 subjects (194 men, 202 women) aged 15-69 years. A history of CHD was present in 9.3% of the subjects. The important risk factors were hypercholesterolaemia, hypertension and smoking. The minor risk factors were obesity, hypertriglyceridaemia, hyperuricaemia, a sedentary occupation and a history of CHD in the immediate family. Electrocardiograph abnormalities denoting CHD were present in 17% of subjects. A study of the major risk factors showed that 35.1% (age and sex adjusted) had at least one major risk factor at the higher level (level A) and 33.8% (age and sex adjusted) at the lower risk levels (level B). When the combination of risk factors was taken into account, 15.2% and 28% had two major risk factors, one each at levels A and B respectively. On average the percentage of men and women with one risk factor or more increased with age. A protective high-density lipoprotein/total cholesterol ratio > or = 20% was present in 53.5% of the respondents. Because of the severe nature of CHD, an intensive programme for the primary prevention of CHD risk factors should be instituted.
authors: Department of Medicine, University of Natal, Durban.
authors: Y K
authors: YK
authors: Seedat
authors: F G
authors: FG
authors: Mayet
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Gouws
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013019:South Africa; D014504:Urban Health; D044465:White People
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D002784:Cholesterol