N. Lemic-stojcevic et al., Preventable risk factors for coronary heart disease and stroke amongst ethnic groups in London, ETHN HEALTH, 6(2), 2001, pp. 87-94
Objectives. People of African Caribbean descent have higher mortality rates
from stroke than other ethnic groups. However, little is known about the p
revalence of stroke risk factors in UK ethnic minority groups. We investiga
ted the prevalence of these risk factors amongst African Caribbeans, black
Africans and whites.
Design. A random sample of patients aged 45-74 registered with 16 general p
ractices in south London was surveyed in 1995. Main outcome measures were:
prevalence of hypertension. mean serum cholesterol, serum fibrinogen and gl
ycosylated haemoglobin AlC. Logistic and linear regressions were used to de
termine ethnic differences in these measures.
Results. Hypertension was more prevalent in black Caribbeans (79.4%) and bl
ack Africans (71.6%) than in whites (54.3%) (p < 0.0001). There were ethnic
group differences in mean random rural cholesterol (p < 0.0001), triglycer
ides (p < 0.0001), fibrinogen (p = 0.03), HDL (p = 0.02) and HbAlC (p < 0.0
001). Whites had higher mean random total cholesterol, triglycerides and fi
brinogen than black Caribbeans but lower HDL and HbAlC, Black Africans had
similar rates to black Caribbeans for these risk factors apart from lower t
riglyceride levels.
Conclusion. These differences in risk factors may partially explain the hig
h stroke mortality rates in black Caribbeans and black Africans compared to
whites. There was little difference in prevalence of these risk factors be
tween black Caribbean and black African groups. Specific strategies targete
d to each ethnic group need to be developed to reduce risk factors.