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Ethnic inequalities in cardiovascular health

Year: 2011
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background Risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) varies between ethnic groups. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in cardiovascular risk factors and total cardiovascular risk using NORRISK and Framingham equations, between ethnic groups in Norway. Design A cross-sectional study using data from the Cohort of Norway (CONOR). Methods A sample of 62 145 participants, 40-65 years of age, originating from 11 different geographical regions including Norway, were examined. Self-reported variables, blood samples and physical measurements were used to estimate age-adjusted mean levels of CVD risk factors. 10-year risk of CVD events were calculated for 60 015 participants using an updated version of the Framingham risk equation. NORRISK was used to calculate 10-year risk of cardiovascular mortality in 54 027 of the participants. Results Differences in risk factors and in Framingham risk scores were observed in both men and women. NORRISK showed differences in men only. Immigrants from the Indian subcontinent had the highest levels of blood glucose, waist hip ratio (WHR), triglycerides, the lowest high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, and the highest prevalence of diabetes. Immigrants from Former Yugoslavia had the highest Framingham risk scores and the highest total cholesterol/HDL ratio, high levels of blood pressure, overweight measures and smoking. Lower risk levels were particularly observed in immigrants from East Asia. Most of the groups reported high levels of inactivity and smoking. Conclusion Previously reported excess risk of diabetes and other risk factors of CVD in immigrants from the Indian subcontinent were supported in this study. We also showed that immigrants from Former Yugoslavian countries have a higher total 10-year risk of CVD events than other ethnic groups. CVDs are preventable diseases, and this study adds new information about ethnic groups in Norway which need to be addressed with further research and primary prevention efforts.
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2460479627
Cites: 91
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Related to: 10