The emergence of clinically abnormal levels of cardiovascular disease risk factor variables among young adults: the Bogalusa Heart Study.

BACKGROUND

The Bogalusa Heart Study, a long-term epidemiologic investigation of the early natural history of atherosclerosis, was conducted for the first time in 1973-1974 on children from birth through the age of 14 in a biracial (black-white) population.

METHODS

The emergence of clinically recognizable abnormalities (obesity, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia) was studied in 1,928 young adults, ages 19-32 years, examined in the 1988-1991 survey.

RESULTS

The occurrence of morbid levels of cardiovascular disease risk factors varied by race and gender. The prevalence of severe overweight, body mass index > or = 31.1 kg/m2 for males and > or = 32.3 kg/m2 for females, was much higher for black women (20.1% than for white women (8.7%), black men (14.0%), or white men (11.7%). The frequency of hypertension [systolic blood pressure (BP) > or = 140 mm Hg, diastolic BP > or = 90 mm Hg, or treatment for high BP] was greatest for black women (13.9%) versus black men (10.1%), white men (6.2%), or white women (5.0%). Approximately 9.5% of the men and 6% of the women had elevated LDL cholesterol ( > or = 160 mg/dl), while elevated triglycerides ( > or = 250 mg/dl ranged from 0% in black females to 7.4% in white males. Dyslipoproteinemia related to HDL cholesterol ( < or = 35 mg/dl) was more marked among white men (16%) compared with other groups (approximately 4%). Correlations for risk factors in a subgroup of 1,587 individuals initially surveyed as children in 1973-1974 were examined as an indication of tracking over a 15-year period. Highly significant correlations were seen for obesity, blood pressure, and LDL cholesterol.

CONCLUSION

Early identification of adverse levels of cardiovascular disease risk factors defined by clinical experience should help to predict and prevent future cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality.