[Atherosclerosis Risk Factors Intervention Study Strass (ARIS)]

Mortality due to cardiovascular disease in Austria amounted to 53.7% of the overall mortality in 1986. Elevated cholesterol, cigarette smoking and hypertension are the main risk factors. In order to estimate the prevalence of these risk factors and to evaluate the effectiveness of intervention strategies, we started the ARIS (in Strass, Lower Austria) in 1987/88. 568 participants (56.7% female, 43.3% male) were asked some questions concerning their cardiovascular status; blood pressure and 22 laboratory parameters were measured (including the serum lipid profile). Doppler sonography of the carotid arteries was performed in participants older than 60 years of age (n = 229). The mean values were: cholesterol: 220.3 +/- 45 mg/dl, systolic blood pressure: 147 +/- 45 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure: 88 +/- 29 mmHg. The percentage of smokers was 18.7%. A positive family history of coronary heart disease was reported by 32.7%. Stenosis (greater than 50%) of the carotid artery was discovered in 7 cases. After this initial examination we started an information campaign at regular two-monthly intervals with around 100 participants a time. As a first result a changed consumer behaviour was observed with respect to foods. The effectiveness of the intervention trial will be seen on evaluation of annual follow-up examinations over a 10-year period in the first place.