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[The Belgian Heart Disease Prevention Project (author's transl)]
Insights
This trial investigated modifying heart disease risk factors in middle-aged men. Comprehensive interventions aimed to reduce coronary risk profiles and ultimately lower total mortality.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular disease prevention
- Public health research
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Major coronary risk factors include hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, smoking, and obesity.
- The Belgian Heart Disease Prevention Project is part of a larger WHO European Collaborative Trial.
- Previous research established the epidemiologic link between these risk factors and heart disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if a comprehensive intervention program can significantly modify coronary risk profiles in middle-aged males.
- To assess if modifying these risk factors leads to a significant reduction in total mortality compared to a control group.
Main Methods:
- A controlled, multifactorial preventive trial conducted in industrial settings.
- Targeted males aged 40-59 years at baseline screening.
- Involved comprehensive intervention strategies and follow-up for morbidity and mortality.
Main Results:
- The study aimed to verify hypotheses regarding risk factor modification and mortality reduction.
- Results regarding incidence were expected by 1981, following final screening in 1979-80.
- Discussion includes challenges in lifestyle modification and follow-up.
Conclusions:
- The trial's success hinges on significantly altering established risk factors and observing a subsequent decrease in mortality.
- Findings will contribute to understanding the efficacy of industrial-based preventive cardiology programs.
Abstract:
The Belgian Heart Disease Prevention Project is a controlled multifactorial preventive trial. It is basal on the well-documented epidemiologic notion of major coronary risk-factors: hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, smoking and obesity. This Project has been executed in industries, in males aged 40-59 yrs at the base-line screening. It is part of the WHO European Collaborative Trial including the United-Kingdom, Italy, Poland and Spain. This trial should verify a double work-hypothesis: 1 degree it is possible to modify significantly the coronary risk profile in middle-aged males through a comprehensive intervention program, 2 degrees this modification should, in turn, significantly reduce total mortality as compared to a control group. The authors discuss the pros and cons of a preventive trial in industry and review the numerous problems raised by the difficulties in modifying well-established life-styles as well as those related to the follow-up morbidity and mortality. Final screening took place in 1979-80 and results regarding incidence should be available by 1981.