Trends in selected biological risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in the Danish MONICA population, 1982-1992

Data from 6695 men and women of ages 30, 40, 50, and 60 years, examined in the Danish WHO MONICA surveys in 1982-84, in 1986-87, and in 1991-92, were analyzed to estimate secular trends in body height and weight, blood pressu re, and serum total-, HDL-, and LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride. Body hei ght increased 0.1% per year, and body mass index increased 0.4% per year in women. Diastolic blood pressure increased 0.4% per year in women and 0.6% per year in 60-year-old men. HDL cholesterol declined 0.4% per year. Body m ass indices in men, diastolic blood pressures in men <60 years of age, syst olic blood pressures, total- and LDL cholesterol and triglyceride did not c hange. The levels of biological risk factors in the Danish WHO MONICA study population did not show trends during the 1980s that help explain the decl ining incidence of myocardial infarction in the population. (C) 2000 Elsevi er Science Inc. All rights reserved.