Risk factors for coronary heart disease in the black population of the Cape Peninsula. The BRISK study

• Published in: South African medical journal Vol. 79; no. 8; pp. 480 - 485
• Main Authors: Steyn, K, Jooste, P L, Bourne, L, Fourie, J, Badenhorst, C J, Bourne, D E, Langenhoven, M L, Lombard, C J, Truter, H, Katzenellenbogen, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: South Africa 20-04-1991
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; African Continental Ancestry Group; Coronary Disease - epidemiology; Coronary Disease - etiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Risk Factors; South Africa - epidemiology; Urban Population; South Africa
• ISSN: 0256-9574

A cross-sectional study of risk factors for ischaemic heart disease (IHD) in a random sample of 986 black people aged 15-64 years living in the Cape Peninsula revealed a population at lower risk for IHD than other South Africans. Blood pressures of 140/95 mmHg or above were found in 14.4% of males and 13.7% of females. Fifty-two per cent of males and 8.4% of females smoked, while 16.5% of males and 25.8% of females had a total cholesterol (TC) level imparting risk for developing IHD. In this population the TC level is not a good surrogate measure for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol because of the high level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) found in this population. A protective HDLC/TC ratio of 20% was found in 96% of males and 96.1% of females. When considering the three major reversible IHD risk factors at a high level of risk, 30.8% of males and 12.5% of females had at least one such a risk factor. The population was frequently exposed to the media, with 80% listening to the radio every day and 55% watching television at least once a week. This suggests that a healthy lifestyle could be promoted successfully by means of these media. In addition, schools should promote a healthy lifestyle and the prevention of chronic degenerative diseases should be incorporated into the evolving primary health care services in South Africa.