An Investigation into the Relationship between Coronary Risk Factors and Coronary Heart Disease among the Pietermaritzburg Asian Population

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between coronary heart disease and a number of established coronary risk factors among Indian males. Included were factors such as Type A behaviour pattern (sometimes referred to as the coronary-prone behaviour pattern). The study investigated whether the following coronary risk factors were able to distinguish those with myocardial infarction from controls: Type A behaviour pattern, stress levels, anger levels, diabetes, previous coronary heart disease, hypertension, obesity, family history of coronary heart disease, physical exercise, cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption. Statistical analysis indicated that none of the risk factors, except Type A behaviour pattern, were able to significantly distinguish the myocardial infarction group from controls.