A Short-Term Community Study of the Epidemiology of Coronary Heart Disease

Abstract

An epidemiological study of coronary heart disease (CHD) in a general population of 106,000 individuals was carried out over a period of 1 year. Information on all persons with new or recurring manifestations of CHD seen by physicians in their practice over this period was obtained by monthly visits to all physicians practicing in the defined area. Males 35 years of age or over reported as cases, or their survivors, were interviewed for characteristics of possible importance in the development of CHD. A probability sample from the general population of males of the same age was also interviewed for the same characteristics. Initial findings in 228 males 35 years of age and over considered to be CHD cases by a review committee of internists show that a lower incidence of CHD occurred in farmers than in males in other occupational groups; that there was a higher incidence of CHD in cigarette smokers than nonsmokers; and that lack of physical activity was also probably related to CHD. Comparison of recent dietary histories of cases and controls revealed no differences in mean caloric intake, total fat consumption, or other major dietary constituents.