ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC SIGNS OF CORONARY HEART-DISEASE IN A LOW-RISK POPULATION IN RURAL CRETE

Background: Ischemic heart disease (IHD) has been shown to be very unc ommon in the population of Crete. Therefore, we established a research project in a rural part of Crete to survey the cardiovascular risk pr ofile and follow the incidence of cardiovascular disease over time. Th is study investigated the prevalence of ECG abnormalities in the popul ation of five villages and compared the prevalence of hypertension, ob esity, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia in those with and without EC G signs of IHD. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a gr oup from 15 to 79 years of age (n = 1218); overall attendance was 926 (76%). Studies included case history, clinical status, laboratory vari ables, and 12-lead ECG. Technically acceptable ECGs were read and code d blindly for 895 subjects (97%). Results: Minnesota codes suggesting ''Probable IHD'' were recorded in 3.3% of the women and 3.5% of the me n from 45 to 79 years of age. Hypertension was more common in subjects with than in those without ''Probable IHD.'' This also tended to be t he case for diabetes. Cholesterol and body mass index were relatively high in both groups. Conclusions: The present prevalence of ''Probable IHD'' in Cretans appears to be very similar to that observed in other population surveys. Also, the contemporary cardiovascular risk factor profile in the population was quite unfavorable, with a relatively hi gh prevalence of smoking, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes. Th e prevalence of ''Probable IHD'' was lowest in the village where the h ealth center was situated (1% vs 4.5%), and this difference was also r eflected in differences among the villages of some important risk fact ors for IHD as well as in the way patients with hypertension and other diseases were cared for. Thus, it seems IHD is becoming more prevalen t in the ''low risk'' population of Crete. This may very well be a res ult of a more unfavorable lifestyle and a higher rate of risk factors than before.