Serum Lipids and Apparent Health of Italian-American Factory Workers in a Boston Area

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Abstract
One hundred and forty-six Italian-Americans, whose parents had been born in Naples, living and working in the Boston area were seen in a third biennial examination. Few significant findings have developed, except for one overt coronary occlusion and the appearance of electrocardiographic evidence of a myocardial infarction without corroborative evidence by history in two subjects. Serum cholesterol determinations of all age groups were within the usual limits, but blood pressure and electrocardiographic abnormalities were more frequent in the thirty-two subjects with elevated cholesterol levels, than in the group as a whole. No correlation could be demonstrated between serum cholesterol levels and body weight, physical activity or electrocardiographic abnormalities. There was some tendency for cholesterol levels to increase with heavy smoking, blood pressure abnormalities and pertinent family history. The possible significance of these factors in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is discussed.