CONTINUED DECLINE IN CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE RISK FACTORS: RESULTS OF THE MINNESOTA HEART SURVEY, 1980–1982 AND 1985–1987

Abstract

Systematic, simultaneous surveillance of cardiovascular disease risk factors, morbidity, and mortality is ongoing in the Minnesota Heart Survey. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease were measured in population-based surveys of Twin Cities metropolitan area residents aged 25–74 years in 1980–1982 and 1985–1987. During this period, age-adjusted, average systolic blood pressure declined nonsignificantly in men and significantly in women, and average, age-adjusted diastolic blood pressure declined 1.1 mmHg in men and 0.9 mmHg in women. Between 1980–1982 and 1985–1987, serum total cholesterol declined significantly, 5.2 and 5.8 mg/dl in men and women, respectively. Serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased 1.6 mg/dl in men and 0.9 mg/dl in women. The prevalence of cigarette smoking declined by 14% in men and 18% in women. In contrast, the average body mass index increased 0.6 kg/m² in men and 1.2 kg/m² in women. Systematic hospital and death certificate surveillance found that mortality rates for coronary heart disease in the Twin Cities metropolitan area declined 20.1% in men and 12.9% in women from 1981 to 1986. Despite difficulties in interpretation of ecologic studies, it appears likely that improvements in population risk factor levels played a role in the decline in disease rates and could influence future mortality trends in this population.