DYNAMICS OF PREVALENCE OF ISCHEMIC-HEART- DISEASE AND MAIN RISK-FACTORS IN TALLINN POPULATION AGED 30-54 YEARS FORM 1984 TO 1994

Two independent random samples of the free living population aged 30 - 54 years were examined in 1984 - 1987 (n=2741) and in 1992 - 1994 (n= 1312) in Tallinn (Estonia). In 1984 - 1987 prevalence of ischemic hear t disease according to strict epidemiological criteria was 4,7% in men and 5,1% in women while hypertension (blood pressure >160/95 mm Hg) w as found in 43,9% of men and in 28,1% of women. Prevalences of hyperch olesterolemia (total cholesterol >200 mg/dl), hypertriglyceridemia (tr iglycerides > 200 mg/dl) and smoking were 69,1%, 10,1%, 51,4% and 71,3 %, 3,6%, 18,9% among men and women, respectively. Body mass index exce eded 28 in 16,7% of men and 33,5% of women. At the second survey preva lence of ischemic heart disease did not differ significantly from that in 1992 - 1994 (5,1% in men, 7,5% in women) while prevalence of hyper tension became significantly lower (27,7% in men and 19,5% in women). Prevalence of hypercholesterolemia also decreased and was (61,4% in me n and 52,1% in women). Compared to the first survey prevalence of hype rtriglyceridemia decreased in men (4,5%) and excessive body mass - in women (19,2%). Favorable trends of above mentioned risk factors could be explained by pronounced changes of nutrition which occurred in the population. In contrast to these favorable changes the prevalence of s moking rose in both sexes reaching 58,1% in men and 27,4%, in women. T his difference in trends of individual factors could be the explanatio n for the lack of favorable changes of cardiovascular and coronary mor tality in Estonia during the period between two surveys.