Ischemic heart disease epidemiology

There has been great interest in airborne particulate matter recently due to the results of a number of epidemiological studies showing a correlation between increased mortality and levels of airborne particles. Figure 2.14 shows one such correlation reported by Dockery et al. (1993). A clear relationship between mortality rates and the concentration of fine particles PM25, as well as with particle sulfate, is seen. Since sulfate is found primarily in fine particles, these observations are not independent. Schwartz et al. (1996) report a 1.5% increase in total daily mortality with an increase of 10 pg m-3 in PM25. Deaths due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease increased by 3.3% and those to ischemic heart disease by 2.1%. 

The interest in dietary flavonoids has grown in the last 15 years after the publication of the study of Hertog et al. [1993] showing an inverse correlation between dietary consumption of flavonols and flavones and reduced incidence and mortality from ischemic heart disease. Most prospective epidemiological studies carried out have found a similar relationship regarding ischemic heart disease while a possible inverse relationship with stroke is less clear [Hertog et al., 1997 Knekt et al., 1996 Rimm et al., 1996 Yochum et al., 1999 Hirvonen et al., 2001 Arai et al., 2000 Mursu et al., 2008], The meta-analysis... 

Gey, K.G., Puska, P., Jordan, P., Moser, U.K. 1991. Inverse correlation between plasma vitamin E and mortality from ischemic heart disease in cross-cultural epidemiology. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 53, 326S-334S. 

Several extensive human epidemiologic studies have also been published. For example, two U.S. studies, one involving 87,245 female nurses (S23) and the other 38,910 male physicians (R5), both concluded that vitamin E supplementation was directly associated with reduced risk for ischemic heart disease. In addition, Gey and associates (G6) reported on a large cross-cultural European population which differed sixfold in age-specific mortality from CAD. The data supported their conclusions that this highly significant difference in CAD was primarily due to increased plasma vitamin E levels in those with a relatively low incidence of... 

In epidemiologic studies, the ECG is used to assess physical fitness, document the prevalence of ischemic heart disease (IHD),... 

Epidemiologic studies have consistently reported an inverse association between vitamin E intake and the risk of coronary heart disease. In a cross-cultural comparison of antioxidant vitamins and ischemic heart disease (IHD), Gey et al. (11) smdied the mortahty of middle-aged men from 16 Eu-... 

Gey, K.F., Puska, R, Jordan, R, Moser, U.K. (1991) Inverse Correlation Between Plasma Vitamin E and Mortality from Ischemic Heart Disease in Cross Cultural Epidemiology, Am. J. Clin. Res. 53,326S-334S. 

The first scientific articles cormecting alcohol consirmption with a lower incidence of heart disease were pubhshed about 30 years ago. The first large scale epidemiological study included 18 countries and established an inverse correlation between red wine consirmption and the number of deaths from ischemic heart disease. This investigation is still frequently cited today to improve the reputation of red wine. 

In addition, an epidemiological study of 1931 selected men in Finland has indicated that increases in stored iron levels, as assessed by serum ferritin concentration, is a risk factor for coronary heart disease [60]. Iron mobilized from ferritin generates reactive oxygen radicals that presumably oxidatively modify low-density lipoproteins, thereby enhancing the risk of ischemic heart disease. 

The following data were obtained from a long term Epidemiological study by the Israel Ischemic Heart Disease Unit on 10,000 men aged 40 years and over which was started in 1963, A diabetes survey was carried out within the framework of this study. In the 1963 survey, 498 were found to be diabetic, of whom 296 were aware of diabetes, and 202 were newly diagnosed at the survey. Two years later, in 1965, another 144 new diabetics were discovered. 

Epidemiological evidence suggests an inverse relationship between the consumption of whole-grain foods and the relative risk of a number of chronic diseases. Studies have found that habitual consumption of whole-grain foods is associated with reductions in premature mortality, risk of coronary heart disease, ischemic stroke, and type 2 diabetes. 

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