Coronary risk factor prevalence in a high incidence area: results from the Belfast MONICA Project

Northern Ireland remains at the top of the world mortality league for ischaemic heart disease. The Province is providing a centre for the World Health Organisation's MONICA Project. Registration of coronary heart disease events began in 1983 and the first of three population surveys took place in 1983-4. A total of 2,361 men and women aged 25-64 years was screened. Subjects were shorter and heavier than their fellow citizens in Great Britain. The estimated mean cholesterol levels in the 25-64-year-old population (5.80 mmol/l in males and 5.85 mmol/l in females) were similar to those reported from Great Britain. Although mean systolic blood pressures were lower, mild diastolic hypertension was considerably more common; cigarette smoking levels were similar. The results were consistent with those expected for an area with a high coronary heart disease mortality, with more than 80% of subjects being at increased risk in terms of the three major factors (cigarette smoking, hypertension and raised cholesterol). Public concern about coronary heart disease has grown and recently the Department of Health and Social Services (NI) has launched a 10-year prevention programme which will primarily employ a population approach.