Implications of obesity for cardiovascular disease in blacks: the CARDIA and ARIC studies

Article Abstract:

Previous studies have reported a relationship between obesity and risk factors associated with the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among several different minority populations. However, few studies have concentrated on the relationship between obesity and CVD in blacks. Several studies have reported that blacks who are obese have a greater chance of having high blood pressure, diabetes, and high blood levels of fat (triglycerides and cholesterol) than blacks who are not obese. All of these conditions increase the risk of developing CVD. To investigate the relationship between obesity and heart disease in blacks, data obtained from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) and Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) studies were evaluated. The CARDIA study (1985-1986) included 5,115 black and white adults between the ages of 18 and 30. The ARIC study (1986-1990) included 15,803 black and white adults aged 45 to 64. In both studies, body weight, height, waist size, blood pressure, and blood levels of sugar (glucose) and cholesterol were measured. A person was classified as having CVD if there was a history of myocardial infarction (heart attack), angina (chest pain) or intermittent claudication (pain in the legs caused by insufficient blood flow to the leg muscles). Obesity and weight gain were more common among black women than white women and among black men than white men. Obesity in blacks was associated with higher than normal blood pressure and higher blood levels of sugar and cholesterol. Diabetes was more common among blacks who were obese than among those who were thin. For blacks between the ages of 45 and 65, CVD was associated with obesity. The prevalence of CVD was higher among those with the most abdominal fat. It is concluded that obesity is common in the US, and is strongly associated with risk factors for developing CVD; excess body fat should be avoided. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Complications and side effects, Obesity

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Association of hormone-replacement therapy with various cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women

Article Abstract:

Hormone-replacement therapy for postmenopausal women that combines estrogen with progestin appears to be more favorable than estrogen alone. Hormone-replacement therapy to relieve menopausal symptoms lowers women's risk of cardiovascular disease by about 50%, but the reasons for this are unclear. Of 4,958 postmenopausal women, 853 took estrogen, 173 took a combination of estrogen and progestin, 813 used to take hormones and 3,119 had never taken hormones. Women who took estrogen alone had levels of blood triglycerides significantly higher than the other three groups combined. However, they also had higher levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and lower levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol than nonusers. Women who took estrogen and progestin had HDL and LDL levels similar to those of women who only took estrogen. Fibrinogen levels, which are also associated with cardiovascular disease, were lower in women who took hormones than in women who did not. There were no significant differences in blood pressure between users and non-users.

Physiological aspects, Hormone therapy, Blood pressure, Postmenopausal women, Carbohydrate metabolism, Blood lipoproteins

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African American-White differences in lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins, by educational attainment, among middle-aged adults: the atherosclerosis risk in communities study

Article Abstract:

Educational attainment plays an important role in maintaining healthful cholesterol levels in certain demographic subjects. Education had a positive effect in controlling lipid and apolipoprotein profiles in Caucasians of both genders and in African American women. No correlation, however, was found between educational level and lipoprotein profiles.

Research, Demographic aspects, Apolipoproteins, Cholesterol, Atherosclerosis, Caucasian race, Whites, Lipid research

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