Abstract
Full-blood tribal Aborigines (248) from the West Kimberley region of Western Australia [WA] were surveyed for the prevalence of coronary heart disease [CHD]; findings were compared with the known prevalence in whites in the country town of Busselton, WA. The prevalence was greater among the Aborigines, with 7% of men and 11% of women having probable CHD. Of the population, 7% had ECG changes characteristic of frank ischemia. The major risk factors contributing to this high prevalence were hypertension, diabetes mellitus and obesity. Of the Aborigines, 37% were hypertensive and 17% had diabetes mellitus.