Harland JO, Unwin N, Bhopal RS, White M, Watson B, Laker M, Alberti KG. Low levels of cardiovascular risk factors and coronary heart disease in a UK Chinese population.
J Epidemiol Community Health 1997;
51:636-42. [PMID:
9519126 PMCID:
PMC1060560 DOI:
10.1136/jech.51.6.636]
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To compare the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and coronary heart disease in Chinese and Europid adults.
DESIGN
Population based, cross sectional survey.
SETTING
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, 1991-93.
SUBJECTS
Altogether 380 Chinese and 625 Europid adults, aged 25-64 years.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Fasting lipid levels, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), the proportions who smoked, and the prevalence of coronary heart disease based on the Rose angina questionnaire and major electrocardiographic abnormalities on resting 12 lead electrocardiogram (Minnesota codes 1.1-1.2). All figures were age adjusted to the 1991 England and Wales population.
RESULTS
Altogether 183 and 197 Chinese, and 310 and 315 Europid men and women respectively were seen. Compared with Europid men, Chinese men had a lower mean total cholesterol concentration (5.1 versus 5.6 mmol/l, p < 0.001) and LDL cholesterol (3.2 versus 3.6 mmol/l, p < 0.001); lower BMI values (23.8 versus 26.1 kg/m-2, p < 0.001); and smoked less (23% versus 35%, p < 0.01)). Compared with Europid women, Chinese women also had lower mean lipid levels (total cholesterol: 4.9 versus 5.4 mmol/l p < 0.001, LDL cholesterol: 2.8 versus 3.1 mmol/l p < 0.001); BMI values (23.5 versus 26.1 kg/m-2, p < 0.001); and far fewer were smokers (1.4% versus 33%, p < 0.001). Chinese women, however, had higher mean systolic (121 versus 117 mmHg, p > 0.05) and diastolic (75 versus 68 mmHg, p < 0.001) blood pressures. The prevalence of coronary heart disease was significantly lower in Chinese than Europid men (4.9% versus 16.6%, p < 0.001) but not significantly different in women (7.3% versus 11.1%, p = 0.16).
CONCLUSION
Strategies for UK Chinese are needed to maintain this favourable risk factor profile and prevent any potential increase in the risk of coronary heart disease associated with increasing acculturation.
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