Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Mortality—Geographic and Ethnic

Abstract

This study presents the results of an investigation of death rates from cardiovascular diseases among whites aged 45-74, during 1949-1951, in a number of metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas of the United States. The author discusses the factors that may be involved in the marked variations that have been found in various parts of the country and their possible causal relationships.

Further inquiry into Protestant clerical mortality patterns

“…For example, it is known that German-born white males of all occupations living in 35 states have a higher mortality from cancer than their US-born counterparts (Haenszel, 1961). However, for coronary or other cardiovascular diseases, mortality for German-born white males in the Middle Atlantic states is about average for white males (Sauer, 1962). Data on mortality by nativity are not available for the Presbyterian or white clergymen.…”

Studies Reporting “Low Rates” of Ischemic Heart Disease: A Critical Review

“…The collected data on low rates of ischemic heart disease were contrasted with widely quoted reports of "high rate" populations. ' It became apparent that several methodological limitations prohibited equivalent comparisons between studies: (1) some studies adhered to less rigorous research design and sample selection than others; (2) the size, age, and sex distributions of the samples differed; (3) the criteria for the clinical evaluation of the electrocardiogram differed; and, in some instances, the criteria were not reported; (4) the means used to assess the composition of the diet varied; in some studies it was carefully assessed, in others it was estimated, while in still others diet was not investigated; (5) the criteria for determining "high" and "low" serum cholesterol, "high" and "low" blood pressure, and the degree of physical activity varied; (6) there was a frequent lack of information regard- AUGUST. 19970 ing the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and smoking; (7) the social and cultural characteristics of populations or samples were often not reported; neither were psychosocial factors included as part of the design of most studies; (8) some studies were retrospective, while others were prospective; (9) perhaps, most important, incidence and prevalence data, using standard criteria, were sometimes not reported and the terms were used interchangeably within some studies.…”

Stress and Coronary Heart Disease

“…Regardless of the death rate from coronary disease in the country from which they emigrated, these people soon come to assume the American rate. 7 For example, Japan has one of the lowest mortality rates from coronary heart disease in the world. However, the mortality rate among Japanese living in California is 10 to 13 times higher, equal to that of other Californians.…”