Coronary heart disease risk factor survey in a sample population of army workshops [a preliminary study]

ABSTRACT

A preliminary survey of risk factors of coronary heart disease [CHD] was carried out during 1988 in 200 subjects of two army workshops. All of the subjects were above the age of 30 years and most of them [89.5%] had income between Rs. 1000-2000. The family history of heart disease was present in 12.5% subjects, of hypertension in 6.5% subjects and of diabetes mellitus in 4% individuals. About 12.5% of subjects were overweight and 17% were underweight. Only 7.5% workers had raised blood pressure. There was a high frequency [39.5%] of smoking in this group although only 1.5% of them were heavy smokers. The biochemical analysis of the sera revealed raised fasting blood glucose levels in 7% workers, and triglycerides in 21.5%. The low density lipoproteins [LDL] were high in 3% subjects and low [<150 mg/dl] in 67.5% individuals. This preliminary work revealed a low frequency of various risk factors of CHD in the population of two army workshops studied. But with the improvement of standard of living and increased industrialization, this situation is bound to change for worse. It is imperative that general population should be made aware of hazards of smoking and other risk factors of CHD. The regular physical activity and promotion of games would also help to reduce this upward trend in the frequency of CHD