Blood pressure levels and cardiothoracic ratios of a mixed African West Indian community

ABSTRACT

In Plymouth-Bethesda, Tobago, blood pressures and cardiothoracic (CT) ratios in a censused total adult population. Blood pressure levels rose across the age groups in both sexes and were similar to those of other West Indian communities and of most African studies. Most of the hypertensives were not on treatment at the time of interview. Mean CT ratios are similar to those of Jamaican and Guyanese mixed Africans and appear not to be associated with the high prevalence of ECG criteria for left ventricular hypertrophy. The latter was predominant in men and the high CT ratios in women. CT ratios increased with hypertension. For men, highest correlation for systolic and diastolic blood pressures was with Quetelet's Index. For women, highest correlations were repectively with post-load blood sugar levels and Quetelet's Index. (AU)