A comparison of first event coronary heart disease rates in two contrasting California populations
Fraser, G.E.
Journal of Nutrition Health and Aging 9(1): 53-58
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 1279-7707 PMID: 15750666 Document Number: 592376
Objectives: To directly evaluate whether a population, many of whom are vegetarian or near vegetarian, does experience less coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods: Two concurrent California, USA observational studies, one with unusual dietary habits, were compared. Similar diagnostic criteria were used in both the Adventist Health Study and the Stanford Five-City Project. The five cities chosen were Monterey, Salinas, Modesto, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Maria. Results: Age-standardized rate ratios (Adventist/Stanford study) for first event fatal CHD were 0.59 (95% confidence interval, 0.43-0.80) in men and 0.49 (0.32-0.76) in women. Similar ratios for first event myocardial infarction were 0.60 (0.47-0.78) and 0.46 (0.33-0.65). Ratios are usually much lower at younger ages or when comparisons include only vegetarian Adventists. Conclusion: Lifestyle factors can markedly change the first-event CHD experience of whole populations, and appear to especially protect against premature events.