Preventable risk factors for coronary heart disease and stroke amongst ethnic groups in London

Citation
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
Citations number
32
Categorie Soggetti
Sociology & Antropology
Journal title
ETHNICITY & HEALTH
ISSN journal
13557858 → ACNP
Volume
6
Issue
2
Year of publication
2001
Pages
87 - 94
Database
ISI
SICI code
1355-7858(200105)6:2<87:PRFFCH>2.0.ZU;2-8
Abstract
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.