Comparison of cardiovascular risk factor levels in two French populations: Haute‐Garonne (Toulouse) and Bas‐Rhin (Strasbourg)

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Abstract
Cardiovascular risk factors were studied from 1985 to 1987 in population samples in two French regions with different ischaemic heart disease mortality rates in Bas‐Rhin (Strasbourg MONICA centre) and in Haute‐Garonne (Toulouse MONICA centre). These rates were, among men, 109/100 000 in Bas‐Rhin, and 72/100 000 in Haute‐Garonne. 1 253 and 1 319 men and women aged 35–64 participated in the survey. In each region, identical investigation methodology was used, according to MONICA protocol. The average weight in both sexes was higher in Bas‐Rhin than in Haute‐Garonne (5 Kg more for men and 6 Kg more for women). After adjustment for age, body mass index and tobacco consumption, arterial systolic blood pressure was higher for men in Bas‐Rhin (145 mm Hg) than in Haute‐Garonne (133 mm Hg). Similar differences were observed in women. Higher proportions of hypertensive participants of both sexes and in all age groups were registered in Bas‐Rhin than in Haute‐Garonne. The number of smokers and the amount of tobacco consumption did not differ between the two centres. Mean serum cholesterol was higher in Haute Garonne (5.95 mmol/L for men and 5.88 mmol/L for women) than in Bas‐Rhin (5.57 mmol/L for men and 5.51 mmol/L for women). Also high‐density lipoprotein (HDL)‐cholesterol values were higher in Haute‐Garonne, and can partly explain the regional difference in total cholesterol.