Hypertension and ischemic heart disease in a rural family practice in Israel.

Prevalence rates of hypertension and ischemic heart disease in a rural community in Israel in 1976 were 9.3% and 2.3%, respectively. The rates were related to age, sex, country of origin, education, occupation, marital status, household crowding, and smoking habits. A multiple regression analysis of all variables showed a significantly positive association between the prevalence of hypertension and age, number of children, Cochin or Moroccan origin, and divorce or widowhood. A negative association was found with agricultural work. The prevalence rate of ischemic heart disease correlated positively with age, Cochin origin, and divorce or widowhood. A stepwise linear regression analysis revealed that these variables accounted for 11.3% and 2.8% of the total variance observed, in hypertension and ischemic heart disease respectively.