Ethnic group comparisons of variables associated with ischaemic heart disease.

Variables known or postulated as being associated with the onset of ischaemic heart disease have been measured in 553 male and female members, aged 18 to 49, of a working population in northwest London; 412 were white, and 141 were black. Cigarette and alcohol consumption were higher in white than in black men, and so were cholesterol, triglyceride, factor VII, carbon monoxide, and haemoglobin levels, and platelet and white cell counts; factor VIII and blood pressure levels, and fibrinolytic activity were lower. More white than black women smoked; the latter were more obese. Differences between black and white women in factor VIII, carbon monoxide, haemoglobin, and blood pressure levels, and in white cell count were similar to those seen in men; however, there were no significant differences in levels of cholesterol, triglycerides or factor VII, or in platelet count, or fibrinolytic activity. Though fibrinolytic activity was higher in the black men than in the white, the difference was not as distinct as in some other studies; the possibility that black men may be losing some of their natural protection against ischaemic heart disease should be borne in mind. On the basis of the ethnic group comparisons it is concluded that, in addition to variables already known to be associated with the onset of ischaemic heart disease, attention should be given to the possible effects ofhigh factor VII levels,