High prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in the Seychelles (Indian Ocean)

In recent years, increasingly high rates of cardiovascular diseases have been recorded in the Seychelles. A survey was performed to investigate the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in that population, which is shifting from its traditional habits to a westernized lifestyle. The Seychelles population is of predominantly black African origin. A sex- and age-stratified random sample of 1,309 subjects was drawn from 21,256 people aged 25-64 years. A response rate of 86% was achieved. The data showed a high prevalence of hypertension (25%) and cigarette smoking (54%) in men and a high prevalence of hypertension (20%) and obesity (21%) in women. Hypercholesterolemia (greater than 6.5 mmol/l) was found in 9% of men and 15% of women. High density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (mean +/- SD) were higher in men (1.42 +/- 0.49 mmol/l) than in women (1.36 +/- 0.34 mmol/l). High levels of lipoprotein(a) (mean +/- SD) were found both in men (319 +/- 362 mg/l) and women (328 +/- 415 mg/l). The high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors identified in the Seychelles indicates a pressing current need for effective preventive strategies.