PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - J C Bakx
AU  - H J M Van den Hoogen
AU  - W J H M Van den Bosch
AU  - T Thien
AU  - C van Weel
TI  - Cardiovascular risk factors and disease in general practice: results of the Nijmegen Cohort Study.
DP  - 2002 Feb 01
TA  - British Journal of General Practice
PG  - 135--137
VI  - 52
IP  - 475
4099  - http://bjgp.org/content/52/475/135.short
4100  - http://bjgp.org/content/52/475/135.full
SO  - Br J Gen Pract2002 Feb 01; 52
AB  - The relationship between risk factors and cardiovascular disease (CVD) was determined using data from the Nijmegen Cohort study, an 18-year prospective study. In 1977, cardiovascular risk factors were measured in 7092 Caucasian males and females from six general practices: age, smoking, serum cholesterol, blood pressure, body mass index and a family history of CVD were related to subsequent CVD mortality and morbidity. Most patients had more than one risk factor in particular among men. A significant relationship between risk factors and CVD was demonstrated. In men, a relative risk (RR) of 1.8 was found for both high blood pressure and smokers. A positive family history yielded a RR of 1.8. The risk increased gradually with the number of risk factors; 38% of the group with all risk factors suffered a CVD within 18 years. In women, comparable RRs were found but the low absolute risk of CVD should indicate against the treatment of cardiovascular risk factors.