CARDIOVASCULAR SYMPTOMS, ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC ABNORMALITIES, AND ASSOCIATED RISK-FACTORS IN AN ELDERLY CHINESE POPULATION

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of angina and po ssible infarct (WHO cardiovascular questionnaire) and electrocardiogra phic abnormalities (Minnesota Coding) in elderly Chinese subjects aged 70+ years living in Hong Kong, and the association with some cardiova scular risk factors. A subsample of 197 subjects (96 men, 101 women) s elected according to geographical area from a territory-wide health su rvey consisting of 2032 elderly subjects selected by an age and sex st ratified random sampling method was studied. Overall, 7% of men and 9% of women had symptoms suggestive of angina, while 6% of men and 4% of women had symptoms suggestive of possible infarct. There were fewer s ymptoms in the 80+ age group. Forty-two percent of men and 35% of wome n had normal electrocardiograms. The prevalence of probable ischaemic heart disease (using the Whitehall Criteria) was 6% for men and 7% for women, while the figures for possible disease were 23% and 25%, respe ctively. The percentage with abnormalities increased with age. The pre valence of coronary heart disease defined by the presence of symptoms, a history of known disease plus use of medication, and electrocardiog raphic abnormalities suggestive of probable disease, was 26% for men a nd 27% for women. These findings were comparable with studies in elder ly Caucasian populations. Only a higher socioeconomic grouping and low er HDL cholesterol were identified as associated risk factors. It is c oncluded that the prevalence of coronary heart disease in the elderly Chinese population in Hong Kong is at least as high in Caucasian popul ations, and few modifiable risk factors were identified in the elderly aged 70 years and over.