Followers | 0 |
Posts | 1151 |
Boards Moderated | 0 |
Alias Born | 07/10/2003 |
![](http://investorshub.advfn.com/images/default_ih_profile2_4848.jpg?cb=0)
Friday, August 13, 2004 4:16:35 PM
EDITORThe identification of patients at high risk of coronary heart disease is vital for preventive clinical care. 1 2 Robson et al state that a reduction of absolute cardiovascular risk in the tenth of the population with coronary risk 30% is likely to be cost beneficial.3 South Asians and Afro-Caribbeans in the United Kingdom are at increased risk of coronary heart disease and stroke, respectively, compared with people of European ethnicity. Most of the United Kingdom populations studied for assessment of cardiovascular risk have not, however, been stratified by ethnic group, and little research has been conducted into factors affecting uptake of preventive care in such patients.
We recently performed a pilot study of assessment of cardiovascular risk factors in south Asian and Afro-Caribbean patients aged 16-79 attending one south London practice.4 We found that half had at least two risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Women were less likely than men to be smokers (relative risk 0.4; 95% confidence interval 0.2 to 0.8) but more likely to take little or no exercise (1.7; 1.1 to 2.5). Focus groups suggested that barriers to effective health promotion included lack of awareness of risk, language difficulties, and cultural and lifestyle differences.
Motivational state and lack of perceived or actual risk may also cause delays in seeking medical help even after risk factors have been identified. Another London based study found that hypertensive patients of Afro-Caribbean ethnicity were less likely to use antihypertensive drugs than were patients of European ethnicity.5 General practitioners and primary care groups determining local policies for coronary disease prevention need to be aware of the specific needs of ethnic minority groups.
Mariam Molokhia, clinical research fellow.
Epidemiology Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT Mariam.molokhia@lshtm.ac.uk
Pippa Oakeshott, senior lecturer.
Department of General Practice, St George's Hospital Medical School, London SW17 0RE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Wood D, Durrington P, Poulter N, McInnes GT, Rees A, Wray R. Joint British recommendations on prevention of coronary heart disease in clinical practice. Heart 1998; 80: 1-29S[Free Full Text].
2. Ramsay LE, Williams B, Johnston GD, MacGregor L, Potter JF, Poulter NR, et al. Guidelines for management of hypertension: report of the third working party of the British Hypertension Society. J Hum Hypertens 1999; 13: 569-592[CrossRef][Medline].
3. Robson J, Boomla K, Hart B, Feder G. Estimating cardiovascular risk for primary prevention: outstanding questions for primary care. BMJ 2000; 320: 702-704[Free Full Text]. (11 March.)
4. Molokhia M, Oakeshott P. A pilot study of cardiovascular risk assessment in Afro-Caribbean patients attending an inner city general practice. Fam Pract 2000; 17: 60-62[Abstract/Free Full Text].
5. Morgan M. The significance of ethnicity for health promotion: patients' use of antihypertensive drugs in inner London. Int J Epidemiol 1995; 24(suppl 1): S79-S84[Abstract
VAYK Exited Caribbean Investments for $320,000 Profit • VAYK • Jun 27, 2024 9:00 AM
North Bay Resources Announces Successful Flotation Cell Test at Bishop Gold Mill, Inyo County, California • NBRI • Jun 27, 2024 9:00 AM
Branded Legacy, Inc. and Hemp Emu Announce Strategic Partnership to Enhance CBD Product Manufacturing • BLEG • Jun 27, 2024 8:30 AM
POET Wins "Best Optical AI Solution" in 2024 AI Breakthrough Awards Program • POET • Jun 26, 2024 10:09 AM
HealthLynked Promotes Bill Crupi to Chief Operating Officer • HLYK • Jun 26, 2024 8:00 AM
Bantec's Howco Short Term Department of Defense Contract Wins Will Exceed $1,100,000 for the current Quarter • BANT • Jun 25, 2024 10:00 AM