Comparative Severity of Atherosclerosis in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and New Orleans

Abstract

The present study is concerned with the comparative severity of aortic atherosclerosis in specimens obtained from 941 necropsies performed in low-income Costa Ricans, Guatemalans, and New Orleans whites. The findings indicate geographic differences in the severity of atherosclerosis after the age of 30 years. The dietary habits, serum cholesterol, and lipoprotein patterns of similar populations are compared with the present pathologic findings.