Prevalence of coronary heart disease in Kashmiris.

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is one of the major causes of mortality and morbidity in the general population of both the developing and developed countries. Prevalence of CHD in the Indian subcontinent is presently one of the highest and is further on an increase. In the state of Jammu and Kashmir the population like any other developing community, is undergoing lifestyle changes but the unusual stress and strain for the last 15 years of the disturbed situation in the state apparently has contributed to increase the prevalence of CHD. Therefore an epidemiological study was conducted to assess the prevalence of CHD in both rural and urban areas of the valley. This study was carried out in the rural and urban areas of the twin districts of Anantnag and Srinagar by random sampling. The total population of the study area comprised of 44,305 persons out of which the target population was 13,893. The study was carried out on 3128 (23%) subjects (2284 males and 844 females) aged 40 years and above. In rural areas the study was conducted in a cluster of 3 villages in each district on 1552 persons (1088 males and 464 females) and in urban areas it was carried out in 3 mohallas (closed locality) in each district on 1576 persons (1196 males and 380 females). A complete history and clinical examination was done and Rose Questionnaire was recorded for angina. ECG was done in all subjects. Chi square test was used for statistical analysis. The overall prevalence of CHD in the population studied by all diagnostic measures was 7.54%. The overall rural prevalence was 6.70% and urban prevalence was 8.37%. Prevalence of CHD was higher in males, 7.88% and slightly lower in females, 6.63%.