Factor VII, antithrombin III, leukocyte and platelet counts in a sample of black and white Zimbabwean blood donors.

Studies in Southern Africa have shown that whites have significantly greater morbidity and mortality from coronary heart disease than blacks. This study investigated the distribution of some haemostatic variables known or suspected to be correlated with greater risk for coronary heart disease in healthy black and white Zimbabwean men. Factor VII, antithrombin III, leukocyte and platelet counts were measured in 56 blacks and 29 whites aged between 20 and 50 years. We found significantly greater factor VII and leukocyte counts in the whites compared to the blacks. The other variables measured were similar in the two ethnic groups. These results suggest that the greater prevalence of coronary heart disease in whites is consistent with high levels of factor VII and white blood cell counts previously identified as risk factors for this condition.