缺血性心血管病:一个反映血脂异常潜在危险的新指标

目的　提出一个能够反映我国人群心血管病发病特点的、用于评价血脂异常潜在威胁的新指标。方法　资料包括中国心血管病流行病学多中心协作研究 1991～ 2 0 0 0年心血管病发病监测资料和该项目在“六五”和“八五”期间建立的 2个队列随访资料以及中美心肺疾病流行病学合作研究队列随访资料。分析冠心病事件和缺血性脑卒中事件绝对危险和相对危险随基线血清胆固醇水平升高的变化 ,用Cox比例风险模型调整可能的混杂因素。提出将冠心病事件和缺血性脑卒中事件合计 ,统称为缺血性心血管病事件。结果　 (1)监测资料和队列随访资料均证实我国人群缺血性脑卒中的发病率约为冠心病事件的 2倍 ,二者的联合终点事件约占所有心血管病事件发病的 6 5 %。 (2 )在3个现有的大样本长期观察的队列人群中 ,血清总胆固醇与冠心病事件和缺血性脑卒中事件年龄标化发病均呈显著正相关。 (3)除“八五”队列男性外 ,所有队列在相同血清总胆固醇水平均显示缺血性脑卒中事件年龄标化发病率高于冠心病事件发病率。如 ,当TC≥ 6 2 4mmol L (1mmol L =38 6 7mg dl)时 ,冠心病事件发病的年龄标化发病率仅约为 (110～ 130 ) 10万 ,而缺血性心血管病事件的年龄标化发病率为 (36 0～ 5 5 0 ) 10万。结论　缺血性心血管病事件占我国心     

中国35～64岁人群血清甘油三酯与心血管病发病危险的关系

目的 探讨我国35～64岁人群血清甘油三酯(TG)与心血管病发病危险的关系.方法 采用前瞻性队列研究的方法,利用中国多省市心血管病危险因素队列研究30 378人的资料,通过对基线血清TG不同水平人群12年间(1992-2004年)急性冠心病事件、缺血性脑卒中事件和出血性脑卒中事件发病风险进行比较,研究TG对各类心血管病发病风险的影响.结果 (1)TG与急性冠心病事件的发病危险有明确的关系.急性冠心病事件的人年发病率在TG水平较低时(TG≥1.15mmol/L)开始增加,TG水平上四分之一分位组(TG≥1.60 retool/L)人群的急性冠心病事件人年发病率是TG水平下四分之一分位组(TG＜0.81 retool/L)的2.7倍(168.4/10万,62.6/10万).(2)应用COX回归分析调整了多种其他危险因素后,TG水平对12年间急性冠心病的发病风险有独立的预测作用.分析未发现TG与缺血性脑卒中和出血性脑卒中的发病危险存在关联.结论 在35～64岁中国人群中,TG是急性冠心病事件发病的独立危险因素.急性冠心病事件的发病危险从TG≥1.15mmot/L即开始升高.     

中国11省市队列人群危险因素与不同类型心血管病发病危险的比较

目的描述在中国35—64岁人群中,不同类型心血管病（包括急性冠心病事件、急性缺血性脑卒中和出血性脑卒中事件）发病的特点。比较传统心血管病危险因素与冠心病和脑卒中（急性缺血性脑卒中和出血性脑卒中事件）发病危险的关系。方法以中国多省市前瞻性队列研究的数据为基础,该队列由1992年建立的11省市35～64岁27249人和1996年到1999年又加入的3129人所组成,共30378人。本研究基线危险因素水平和1992--2003年期间发生的心血管病（包括冠心病和脑卒中）事件的关系进行分析。结果（1）急性冠心病事件、急性缺血性脑卒中事件和急性出血性脑卒中事件的累积人年发病率分别为114／100000、209／100000和73／100000。（2）随访期间发生心血管病的亚组人群基线时有84％～89％的人伴有1个或1个以上的心血管病危险因素,高于无心血管病的亚组人群（64．7％,P〈0．01）。（3）危险因素对不同类型心血管病发病的影响及作用强度有所差别：对冠心病发病危险的影响因素根据强度依次为高血压、吸烟、高胆固醇血症和低高密度脂蛋白胆固醇血症;对缺血性脑卒中发病危险的影响因素依次为高血压、糖尿病、低高密度脂蛋白胆固醇血症、吸烟和肥胖;对出血性脑卒中发病危险的独立影响因素只有高血压。结论在心血管病的主要危险因素中,不同的危险因素对不同类型的心血管病发病危险的作用存在差别。我国人群不同危险因素的变化趋势将影响不同类型心血管。     

中国35～64岁人群胆固醇水平与10年心血管病发病危险的前瞻性研究

目的探讨我国35～64岁人群血清总胆固醇（TC）水平与心血管病（包括急性冠心病事件和急性脑卒中事件）发病危险的关系。方法采用前瞻性队列研究的方法,对1992年建立的11省市35—64岁队列人群共30384人的基线TC水平和1992-2002年发生的急性冠心病事件和急性脑卒中事件的关系进行分析。应用Cox比例风险模型对TC水平与心血管病发病危险进行多因素分析。结果（1）以TC〈3．64mmol／L（140mg／d1）组为对照,随着TC水平的增加,缺血性心血管病发病危险呈持续增加变化。（2）TC水平与不同类型的心血管病的关系有所差别：缺血性脑卒中事件发病危险从TC很低水平（〈3．64mmol／L）开始,随着TC水平的增加呈持续上升的变化;而出血性脑卒中事件与TC水平的关系缺乏一致性。多因素分析结果显示：与TC〈5．72mmol／L（220mg／d1）相比,TC≥5．72mmol／L时急性冠心病发病危险增加74％（RR=1．743,P〈0．01）,缺血性脑卒中发病危险增加12％（RR=1．119,P〉0．05）。（3）在缺血性心血管病事件中,5．9％可归因于高TC血症;其中11．7％的急性冠心病事件和2．9％的急性缺血性脑卒中事件可归因于高TC血症。（4）不同TC水平时,随着合并其他心血管病危险因素个数的增加,10年心血管病发病的绝对危险增加。结论从TC低水平〈3．64mmol／L（140mg／dl）开始,随着TC水平的增加缺血性心血管病的发病危险持续上升。应该加强多重危险因素的综合干预,以减少心血管病的综合危险。     

中国35～64岁人群白细胞计数与心血管病发病危险的前瞻性研究

目的 探讨我国35～64岁人群白细胞计数水平与不同类型心血管病(包括急性冠心病事件和急性脑卒中事件)发病危险的关系. 方法 采用前瞻性队列研究的方法,对1992年建立的11省市35～64岁队列人群共21 318人的基线白细胞计数水平和1992-2003年发生的急性冠心病事件和急性脑卒中事件的关系进行分析.应用Cox比例风险模型对白细胞计数水平与心血管病发病危险进行多因素分析. 结果 (1)白细胞计数从参照组4.0～4.9×109/L开始,随着白细胞计数水平的升高,缺血性心血管病事件及总心血管病事件累计人年发病率呈持续上升的变化,缺血性心血管病事件及总心血管病事件发病危险随白细胞计数的升高而增加.(2)白细胞计数水平与不同类型的心血管病发病危险的关系有所差别:与参照组(4.0～4.9×109/L)相比,随着白细胞计数的升高,急性冠心病事件发病危险及缺血性脑卒中事件发病危险上升;而出血性脑卒中事件与白细胞计数水平未见明显相关趋势.(3)多因素分析显示,当白细胞计数＞9.0×109/L时,总缺血性心血管病事件发病危险增加(95% CI:1.188～2.416),其RR是对照组的1.7倍. 结论 随着白细胞计数的升高,缺血性心血管病事件及总心血管病事件发病危险呈上升变化.     

中国35～64岁人群血压水平与10年心血管病发病危险的前瞻性研究

目的探讨我国35～64岁人群血压水平与心血管病发病危险的关系,为《中国高血压防治指南》的修订工作提供流行病学数据。方法采用前瞻性队列研究的方法,对1992年建立的11省市35～64岁队列人群共31728人的基线血压水平和1992～2002年发生的心血管病(包括冠心病和脑卒中)事件的关系进行分析。结果(1)以血压110～119／75～79mmHg(1mmHg=0．133kPa)为对照,血压在120～129／80～84mmHg时,心血管病发病危险增加了1倍(RR=2．09);血压在140～149／90～94mmHg时,心血管病发病危险增加了2倍以上(RR=3．23);当血压≥180／110mmHg时,心血管病发病危险增加了10倍以上(RR=11．81)。(2)与理想血压相比,2级高血压时,急性冠心病事件发病的危险是理想血压组的2．3倍,急性缺血性脑卒中和急性出血性脑卒中发病的危险分别是理想血压组的4．9倍和11．7倍。(3)在总的心血管病事件中,36．1％可归因于高血压;其中44．0％的急性脑卒中事件和23．7％的急性冠心病事件可归因于高血压。(4)不同血压水平时,随着合并其他心血管病危险因素个数的增加,10年心血管病发病的综合危险增加。结论血压水平从110／75mm Hg开始,随着血压水平的增加,心血管病发病危险持续上升,所以将某个血压水平作为高血压的诊断标准是人为制订的。应该加强多重危险因素的综合干预,以减少总的心血管病的发病危险。     

正常高值血压人群10年心血管病发病危险的分析

目的探讨中国35~64岁人群正常高值血压(采用2005年中国高血压指南新的定义)的分布特点、与其他心血管病危险因素的关系及10年心血管病发病危险。方法采用前瞻性队列研究,对1992年建立的11省市35~64岁队列研究共30 378人基线时血压水平、心血管病危险因素分布及10年发生心脑血管病事件(包括冠心病和脑卒中)危险关系进行分析。结果(1)中国35~64岁人群中正常高值血压的现患率为32.2%,其中男性为34.2%,女性为30.2%。(2)正常高值血压人群,收缩压和舒张压均在正常高值范围者最多(45.0%),其次为仅收缩压在正常高值范围者(34.9%),舒张压在正常高值者最少(20.1%)。(3)正常高值血压人群的心血管病危险因素平均水平高于正常血压人群。(4)调整年龄、性别和其他心血管病危险因素后,与正常血压者相比,基线血压在正常高值范围者10年冠心病事件的发病风险增加31%,脑卒中事件的发病风险增加49%,总心血管病事件的发病风险增加44%。结论正常高值血压者心血管病发病危险高于正常血压者,应加强正常高值血压人群高血压及心脑血管事件的早期防治。     

apoE基因型与心脑血管病的前瞻性研究

目的探讨中国人群apoE基因型与不同类型心血管病（包括急性冠心病事件和急性脑卒中事件）发病危险的关系。方法采用前瞻性队列研究的方法,以北京市自然人群为研究对象,应用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性技术（PCR-RFLP）进行APOE基因分型,对APOE基因型和随访10年发生的急性冠心病事件和急性脑卒中事件的关系进行分析。应用Cox比例风险模型对APOE基因型与心血管病发病危险进行多因素分析。结果（1）与apoE3基因型相比,E2及E3基因携带者缺血性心血管病（ICVD）事件发病危险明显增加;（2）APOE基因多态性与不同类型的心血管病发病危险的关系有所差别：与携带E3等位基因人群相比,携带E2和E4基因型的人群中急性冠心病事件发病危险及缺血性脑卒中事件发病危险明显上升;而出血性脑卒中事件与APOE基因多态性未见明显相关。携带E4等位基因的人群总缺血性心血管病事件发病危险有较大幅度增加,其RR是对照组的1.78倍;（3）在缺血性心血管病事件中,6.4%可归因于携带E2和E4基因型;其中6.2%的急性冠心病事件和7.3%的急性缺血性脑卒中事件可归因于E2和E4基因型。结论APOE基因多态性与ICVD的发病危险密切相关。在心血管病的综合危险评估中,对于基因的多态性应予以足够重视。     

国人缺血性心血管病发病危险的评估方法及简易评估工具的开发研究

目的 研究开发适合我国人群疾病特点且方便临床使用的心血管病发病危险度评估方法和评估工具。方法 依据中美心肺血管疾病流行病学合作研究队列随访资料，采用Cox比例风险模型拟合最优预测模型，并校正人群危险因素长期变化趋势的影响，采用独立人群回代检验和计算ROC曲线下面积来检验模型的预测能力。进一步建立简易预测模型，并据此制定适合我国人群的心血管病综合危险度简易评估工具。结果 中美心肺血管疾病流行病学合作研究1983～1984年基线调查年龄35～59岁，剔除基线患有冠心病、脑卒中及主要危险因素资料不全者后男女共计9903人，截止到2000年平均随访15．1年，共发生冠心病事件105例、缺血性脑卒中266例、缺血性心血管病360例。基线年龄、性别、血压、血清总胆固醇、体重指数、吸烟和糖尿病与冠心病、缺血性脑卒中和缺血性心血管病(ischemic cardiovascular diseases，ICVD)事件发病有互相独立的显著关联，且联系的方向和规律一致。据此建立的分性别ICVD事件10年发病危险预测模型，经过校正人群危险因素的长期变化趋势，证明能够很好地用于1992～1994年新建立队列的ICVD发病预测，其ROC曲线下面积(AUC)男性最优模型为0．799，女性最优模型为0．844。简易模型的AUC与最优模型几乎相同。结论 初步开发的ICVD事件10年发病危险预测模型和简易评估工具具有令人满意的预测能力，也能够较好地反映国人发生心血管病的综合危险。     

中国11省市队列人群基线血压和7年累积心血管病发病危险的前瞻性研究

目的：以较大人群、较广的地理覆盖面的前瞻性队列研究结果提供中国人血压水平与心血管病发病危险最化关系的数据;探讨收缩压和舒张压作为危险因素标识或致病因素在与心血管病的发病危险的关系上存在的差别;分析血压对急性脑卒中和冠心病事件发病的影响是否存在差别及控制血压对预防这两种疾病的公共卫生意义;初步评价现行的高血压诊断、治疗和分级标准。方法：对1992年建立的11省市35－64岁队列人群共29488人基线血压水平和1992－1999年共138177．1观察人年中生心血管病（包括脑卒中和冠心病）事件发病的数据进行单因素和多因素分析。结果：对收缩压和舒张压分别进行的单因素和多因素分析显示,两均可作为预测生心血管病事件发病危险的有效标识,但收缩压水平对急性心血管病事件,特别是脑卒中危险的影响强度明显大于舒张压,收缩压≥180mmHg（1mmHg=0.133kPa)组与收缩压＜120mmHg组人群相比,生心血管事件发病危险单因素分析时高22倍（脑座中31倍,冠心病8倍）,多因素分析时高11倍（脑卒中16倍,冠心病4倍）。血压对于与急性脑卒中事件和急性冠心病事件的影响无论在强度、影响方式和预防的公共卫生意义上存在明显差别,人群中79．7％的脑卒中事件可归因于血压的升高,但只有36．6％的冠心病事件可归因于血压的增高因血压各分级中,心血管事件的发病危险随其他危险因素存在的数量而上升。结论：高血压是目前中国人群最重要的心血管病危险因素,有效的防治高血压是减少我国心血管病负担最重要和最关键的环节。     

Coronary risk versus cardiovascular risk for treatment decisions in mild hypertension

BACKGROUND: British guidelines recommend treatment for mild hypertension at a cardiovascular (CVD) risk threshold of 20% over 10 years. However, treatment is targeted at the equivalent coronary (CHD) risk of 15% over 10 years. We examined the relationship between CHD and CVD risk in men and women with mild hypertension and assessed the accuracy of using a 10-year CHD risk threshold of 15% to identify patients at a 10-year CVD risk > or = 20%. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey of England in 1998. METHODS: We identified 5588 subjects aged 35-74 years free of cardiovascular disease with complete data for risk assessment. Of these, 1364 (24.4%) had mild hypertension (systolic pressure 140-159 mmHg or diastolic pressure 90-99 mmHg). The Framingham functions were used to estimate CHD and CVD event risk for each individual. RESULTS: At a 10-year CHD risk of 15%, the corresponding 10-year CVD risk for men and women, respectively was 20% and 21% in those aged < 55 years, and 24% and 25% in those aged > or = 55 years. Using a 10-year CHD risk threshold of 15% to identify patients at a 10-year CVD risk > or = 20% had high specificity (>96%) in all four groups. For men and women respectively, the sensitivity was 73% (62-84%) and 62% (35-88%) in younger subjects, and 89% (85-93%) and 47% (38-56%) in older subjects. CONCLUSION: Using a 10-year CHD risk of 15% to target patients at a 10-year CVD risk > or = 20% was reasonably accurate for men but missed about 50% of women eligible for antihypertensive treatment.     

空腹血糖受损新标准对其患病率和缺血性心血管病发病危险的影响

目的评价2003年美国糖尿病协会新的空腹血糖受损标准对中国35～64岁人群空腹血糖受损率的影响以及与缺血性心血管病发病危险的关系。方法以中国多省市前瞻性队列研究的数据为基础,对30378人基线血糖水平的分布特点以及10年随访期间发生的缺血性心血管病（包括冠心病和缺血性脑卒中）事件关系进行分析。结果（1）依据新的空腹血糖受损的标准,我国35～64岁人群空腹血糖受损率从6．9％上升到21．6％,增加了2.1倍;（2）按基线血糖水平分为4个亚组,随着血糖水平的升高,其他传统心血管病危险因素的比例增加;（3）缺血性心血管病人年发病率和血糖单因素分析显示,随着血糖水平的增加男女两性缺血性心血管病发病危险增加,并达到统计学意义;（4）多因素分析显示,在调整了其他传统的心血管病危险因素后,空腹血糖受损新的标准（由6．11mmol／L降为〈5．55mmol／L）对男性缺血性心血管病有独立的影响作用（RR=1．302,95％CI=1．021～1．660）;对女性缺血性心血管病发病危险缺乏独立的影响作用（RR=1．255,95％CI=0．887～1．776）。结论依据新标准中国35～64岁人群空腹血糖受损率增加了2倍以上。随着血糖水平的增加伴有其他传统的危险因素的比例及缺血性心血管病的人年发病率增加,多因素分析后空腹血糖受损新切点增加男性缺血性心血管病发病的危险。     

大连市獐子岛地区心血管疾病危险因素的流行病学调查

目的了解獐子岛地区居民心血管疾病的危险因素发生情况,为实施心血管疾病干预措施提供依据。方法按年龄性别随机分层抽取獐子岛镇18岁以上常驻居民(≥5年)1024例,进行心血管疾病危险因素流行病学调查,并对35~59岁人群用"国人缺血性心血管病十年发病危险度评估表"进行评估,对结果进行统计学分析。结果(1)高血压、高总胆固醇、高低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、低高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、高三酰甘油、糖尿病、高尿酸血症患病率依次为43.8%、28.4%、12.4%、9.4%、21.7%、7.2%、9.8%。吸烟率27.1%,超重率56.3%,高摄盐率56.2%。(2)具有1个以上危险因素的个体占89.8%,无同时≥8个以上危险因素的个体。男性具有1个以上危险因素者比例大于女性,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.01)。(3)10年缺血性心血管病发病危险度<10%(低危):男性为96.3%,女性为94.4%;≥20%(高危):男性为1.5%,女性为0.4%。不同性别10年缺血性心血管病发病危险度在中高危以上(≥10%)检出率差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论獐子岛地区心血管疾病危险因素的人群比例高,应积极加强对心血管疾病危险因素干预。     

Ten-year cardiovascular disease risk of metabolic syndrome without central obesity in middle-aged chinese

This study aimed to examine the relation between central obesity and other metabolic disorders of metabolic syndrome (MS) and compare the long-term risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD) between patients with MS with or without central obesity in middle-aged Chinese. The study included 30,378 Chinese aged 35 to 64 years at baseline with complete measurements for MS components and follow-up data for new acute CVD events from 1992 to 2003. The 10-year relative and absolute CVD risks in the MS groups with or without central obesity were compared. Results showed that 78% of patients with MS had central obesity and 22% with MS had no central obesity, diagnosed using updated Adult Treatment Panel III criteria with cut-off values appropriate for Asian populations. Central obesity, as well as other metabolic disorders in patients with MS, except for increased triglycerides, increased CVD risk significantly. There were no significant differences in 10-year absolute and relative risks of coronary heart disease events and ischemic CVD events between the 2 MS groups. In conclusion, MS with or without central obesity has a significantly increased 10-year risk of CVD in middle-aged Chinese.     

A high risk score for coronary heart disease is associated with the metabolic syndrome in 40-year-old men and women

OBJECTIVE: Guidelines recommend follow-up of people whose 10-year risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) is > 10%. We calculated CHD risk, number of risk factors and occurrence of the metabolic syndrome among screened 40-year-old men and women. DESIGN: A total of 1547 women and 1374 men participated in a cardiovascular risk factor screening programme in 1997-1999 in Oslo. Of 387 (13%) recalled for further examination and advice, 337 (87%) attended. We used the National Cholesterol Education Program criteria to define the metabolic syndrome and the Framingham risk score to assess absolute 10-year risk of CHD and counted nine risk factors (male, southeast-Asian origin, low education, smoking, premature familial cardiovascular disease (CVD), hypertension, high waist circumference, impaired fasting glucose or diabetes and high apolipoprotein B). RESULTS: More than one-third of subjects recalled for hypertension (n = 88) or low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (n = 95) had the metabolic syndrome. Of 55 subjects with a 10-year risk score > 10%, 33 (60%) had the metabolic syndrome. Subjects with the metabolic syndrome had a higher risk score compared with their counterparts (P < 0.001); among men with the metabolic syndrome, the mean +/- SD risk score was 10.0 +/- 4.4%. Subjects with dyslipidaemia [high triglyceride and normal low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels] or combined hyperlipidaemia had a higher risk score and more risk factors compared with subjects with isolated high LDL cholesterol (P < 0.05). Only 12% of subjects with hypertension were taking drugs and of 237 subjects with a lipid disorder, 30% had been given dietary advice and one was taking a lipid-lowering drug. CONCLUSION: CVD screening should focus on identifying people with features of the metabolic syndrome in this age group. The screening programme uncovered a substantial potential for CVD prevention.     

Undertreatment and overtreatment with statins: the Oslo Health Study 2000-2001

OBJECTIVE: We examined the prevalence and factors associated with use of cholesterol-lowering statins in the population. METHODS: Demographic, medical, anthropometric and lifestyle data was obtained from 6233 men and 7521 women born in 1924/25, 1940/41, 1955 and 1960 that participated in the Oslo Health Study 2000-2001. A nonfasting blood sample was collected. RESULTS: Of subjects with a heart attack, angina, stroke or diabetes 45% of men and 35% of women were taking a statin (P < 0.001). Of subjects with cardiovascular disease (CVD) or diabetes taking statins 61% of men and 40% of women achieved total serum cholesterol levels < or =5 mmol L(-1). The odds ratio for taking a statin was increased amongst subjects who also took antihypertensive drug(s) or acetylsalicylic acid, subjects with a family history of coronary heart disease (CHD) and women who had visited the general practitioner within the last year. Amongst presumed healthy subjects use of statins increased from about 1% in women aged 40-45 years, to 7% at age 60 and to 12% at age 75 whilst the corresponding figures for men were 3%, 8% and 9%, respectively. About 22% of men but <2% of women aged 60 who were not taking statins had a 10-year Framingham CHD risk score >20%. Determinants of statin use were similar to those amongst subjects with CVD or diabetes. CONCLUSION: People with CVD or diabetes remain undertreated with statins, women more so than men. Use of other preventive drugs, the family history and recent contact with the general practitioner were the most important determinants of statin use in primary and secondary prevention. Amongst healthy subjects aged 60 or 75 years women received statins disproportionately to their low CHD risk compared with men.     

11省市队列人群心血管病发病前瞻性研究Ⅱ.个体危险因素聚集与心血管病发病的关系

目的     

Prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and associated risk factors in a rural black population of South Africa.

BACKGROUND: To determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of cardiovascular diseases in a rural adult black population from Limpopo Province in South Africa. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. METHODS: A sample of 1608 women and 498 men aged 30 years and above participated in the study. Sociodemographic data, anthropometric measures (body mass index, waist/hip ratio), blood pressure and biochemical risk factors were measured. A global cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk profile was developed. RESULTS: There was a high prevalence of tobacco use for men (57%) and women (35.4%), with women (28.1%) predominantly using smokeless tobacco. Alcohol use was very common in men (57.2%). Women weighed a great deal more than men, and 51.7% were either overweight or obese. Diabetes was diagnosed in 8.8 and 8.5% of women and men, respectively. High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol was relatively high, whereas 42.3% of women and 28.5% of men had low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels of 3 mmol/l or more. Hypertension (blood pressure > or =140/90 mmHg) was found in 25.5% of women and 21.6% of men. According to the Framingham formulae, 18.9% of women and 32.1% of men had a 20% or higher chance of having a CVD event in the next 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: There was a high prevalence of chronic disease risk factors in the rural, poor black community in Limpopo, South Africa. Consequently, the population had a higher than expected risk of developing a CVD event in the following 10 years when compared with similar studies in black Africans.