[Detection of ischemic heart disease in a survey of a male population 40-59 years of age (data of cooperative studies performed in Moscow, Kaunas, Kiev and Kharkov)].

The authors analyzed the prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and its various types detected by routine epidemiological methods among the examinees in four cities (Moscow, Kaunas, Kiev, and Kharkov). The results were obtained in the collaboration study, adhering to the rigid standardization of all the procedures applied. Examination of 17, 168 males aged 40-59 years revealed signs of CHD in 13.8%; 3.3% had a history of myocardial infarction; 5.3% suffered from exertional angina without prior myocardial infarction; 5.2% showed a painless course of CHD. The analysis demonstrated that simultaneous use of the standard epidemiological methods is the only way of ensuring a more complete detection of CHD. In different cities, from 36.4 to 60.8% were not aware of the presence of the disease. Secondary preventive measures should involve methods for identifying the major risk factors and eliminating the latter.