Prevalence and incidence of coronary heart disease in strata of the labor force of a Chicago industrial corporation

Abstract

1. 1. An epidemiologic analysis of coronary heart disease and other cardiovascular-renal diseases was accomplished, utilizing the accumulated medical and personnel records on the entire male labor force aged 50 to 59 years (784 men) of a Chicago utility company. 2. 2. Observed prevalence and incidence rates for coronary heart disease were 71/1,000 and 61/1,000 for 4 years, respectively. 3. 3. The over-all mortality rate from coronary heart disease was 25/1,000 for 4. 4 years. The mortality rate in those free of coronary heart disease at the onset of the study was 17/1,000 for 4 years. Of all deaths, 47 per cent occurred suddenly. 5. 4. Hypertension, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and suspected coronary heart disease were associated with increased incidence rates of definite coronary heart disease. 6. 5. Prevalence rates of hypertension and obesity were similar in sociologic subgroups of the total population under study. Sociologic stratifications were made based on nativity, residence, military experience, education, occupation, physical activity of work, indoor versus outdoor work, and type and amount of income. 7. 6. Coronary heart disease incidence rates were similar in the sociologic subgroups, with the exception that significantly lower rates were observed in the foreign-born than in the native-born. Coronary heart disease incidence rates are high in all strata of the middle-aged male population in the United States.