Age, sex, ethnic origin and hospital admission for heart attack and stroke

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Abstract
Summary: The frequency of admission for heart attack and stroke in blacks, whites and Asians to Dudley Road Hospital, Birmingham, was studied. The study population (denominator) was 17 739 consecutive admissions to this hospital for the years 1975 to 1979, in 35- to 64-year-old men and women. Admission for heart attack was half as common in blacks compared with whites and, in some age groups, there was a slightly increased rate in Asians. By contrast, in both sexes and in all age groups, stroke admission was commoner in blacks. These differences cannot be explained by differing levels of blood pressure or cigarette smoking in the 3 ethnic groups.