High prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in the Seychelles (Indian Ocean)

In recent years, increasingly high rates of cardiovascular diseases have been recorded in the Seychelles. A survey was performed to investigate the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in that population, which is shifting from its traditional habits to a westernized lifestyle. The Seychelles population is of predominantly black African origin. A sex- and age-stratified random sample of 1,309 subjects was drawn from 21,256 people aged 25-64 years. A response rate of 86% was achieved. The data showed a high prevalence of hypertension (25%) and cigarette smoking (54%) in men and a high prevalence of hypertension (20%) and obesity (21%) in women. Hypercholesterolemia (>6.5 mmol/1) was found in 9% of men and 15% of women. High density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (mean±SD) were higher in men (1.42±0.49 mmol/1) than in women (1.36±0.34 mmol/1). High levels of lipoprotein(a) (mean±SD) were found both in men (319±362 mg/1) and women (328±415 mg/1). The high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors identified in the Seychelles indicates a pressing current need for effective preventive strategies.