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Background: Studies on the electrocardiogram findings in African pregnant women are limited. There is no information available in the literature on the electrocardiographic parameters of pregnant Angolan women.Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe electrocardiographic findings in women with normal pregnancies in Bengo Province, Angola.Methods: This is a community-based study with a cross-sectional design conducted between September 2013 and March 2014 in Bengo. The study involved 114 black pregnant women, compared with a paired control group comprising of 120 black non-pregnant women, aged 15 to 42 years. A 12-lead electrocardiogram and a rhythm strip were recorded for all participants.Results: In this study, the mean age was 26.2 ± 7.3 years. Comparing pregnant women vs. non-pregnant, we found the following mean values: Heart rate (83 bpm vs. 74 bpm, p < .001), PR interval (146 ms vs. 151 ms, p = .034), QT interval (360 ms vs. 378 ms, p < .001), QTIc Fridericia (398 ms vs. 403, p = .017), QTIc Framingham (399 ms vs. 404 ms, p = .013) and T-wave axis (340 vs. 410 , p = .001).The main electrocardiographic changes found were: Sinus tachycardia (4.4% vs. 2.5%), T-wave inversion (14.9% vs. 1.7%), Minor ST segment depression (4.5% vs. 0%) and left ventricular hypertrophy (11.4% vs. 11.7%, p = .726).Conclusions: Pregnant Angolan women compared with controls, had several significantly higher values for heart rate, and significantly lower values of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, PR interval, QT interval, QTc interval by Fridericia and Framingham and T-wave axis. Sinus tachycardia, T-wave inversion, and left ventricular hypertrophy, were the main electrocardiographic changes found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnicity is an important determinant of blood pressure levels, being black individuals affected more than any other ethnic group. Arterial stiffening, an independent risk factor for hypertension, is also influenced by ethnicity. However, whether black individuals from different continents would have different patterns of arterial stiffening is still unknown. Thus, the authors aimed to compare pulse wave velocity (PWV) in black subjects living in Angola and Brazil. A total of 677 black individuals from two independent cross-sectional studies conducted in Brazil and Angola were included in this analysis. Carotid-to-femoral PWV was measured following the same protocols for both studies, as well as clinical and anthropometric variables. Adjusted PWV was higher in Brazilian blacks than in Angolans, regardless of sex (men from Brazil: 10.7 ± 1.8 vs men from Angola: 9.9 ± 1.8 m/s, P < .001; women from Brazil: 10.3 ± 1.5 vs women from Angola: 9.2 ± 1.3 m/s, P < .001). Although the cf-PWV was higher in Brazilian blacks, the age-related increase in cf-PWV was higher in Angolan men compared to Brazilians, but not in women. SBP showed the strongest association with cf-PWV, regardless of sex and country. However, age was associated with cf-PWV in all groups, except in Brazilian men. Our results clearly show a difference in PWV between two black populations, and highlight for sex differences in the hemodynamic parameters that might affect blood pressure levels in these populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: African-Americans present higher prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) when compared with white populations. However, there is a lack of information about the prevalence and determinants of LVH in black individuals living in Africa.Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed with a non-probabilistic sample comprised of 609 University workers from Angola/Africa, describing the prevalence of LVH and the determinants of left ventricular mass. Echocardiographic measurements were performed and left ventricular mass was indexed to body surface area. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured, along with anthropometric and clinical variables.Results: Chamber diameter and wall thickness were higher in men compared to women. Additionally, LVM was higher in men (114.2 ± 36 vs 98.4 ± 31.9, P < 0.001), and the overall prevalence of LVH in black Angolans was 41.1%, which tended to be higher in women (44.5 vs 37.4%, P = 0.096). In men, systolic blood pressure and BMI were independently associated with LVM, while age, systolic blood pressure and waist circumference were associated with LVM in women.Conclusions: In summary, blood pressure levels were the main determinants of LVH in black Africans, although different anthropometric variables showed mild influence in LVM. Our data suggests that LVH prevalence and determinants in black Africans are similar to that reported for African-Americans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyperuricemia is associated with cardiovascular disease and its prevalence is unknown in black Africans. This study reports hyperuricemia distribution and its association with cardiovascular risk factors in a selected Angolan population. A cross-sectional study in 585 black Africans was performed. Hyperuricemia was defined as uric acid >7.0 mg/dL in men or >5.7 mg/dL in women. Overall prevalence was 25%. Hyperuricemia was associated with hypertension (odds ratio [OR], 2.20; confidence interval [CI], 95% 1.41-3.47), high waist circumference (OR, 1.67; CI, 95% 1.05-2.65), and metabolic syndrome (OR, 1.66; CI, 95% 1.07-2.57). Compared to those with uric acid levels in the first quartile, individuals in the fourth quartile showed higher body mass index, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, and plasma levels of creatinine and triglycerides. Hypertension, high waist circumference, and metabolic syndrome were the major cardiovascular risk factors associated with hyperuricemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the majority of developed and developing countries. African countries are currently facing an increase in both cardiovascular and transmitted diseases. In addition, cardiovascular risk varies among different socioeconomic groups. Thus, we determined the prevalence of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors in apparently healthy public-sector workers and investigated possible relationships with socioeconomic status. Methods: We employed a cross-sectional study comprising 42.2% (n = 615) of the public-sector workers at Agostinho Neto University, 48% (n = 294) male and 52% (n= 321) female, with ages between 20 and 72 years and from various socioeconomic groups. The study was conducted from February 2009 to December 2010. Personal, anthropometric, biochemical, hemodynamic, socioeconomic, and physical activity data were collected. Results: The prevalence rates of cardiovascular risk factors were as follows: hypertension, 45.2% (men 46.3%, women 44.2%, P > 0.05); hypercholesterolemia, 11.1% (men 10.5%, women 11.5%, P > 0.05); low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, 50.1% (men 36.9%, women 62.3%; P < 0.05); hypertriglyceridemia, 10.6% (men 12.6%, women 8.7%, P > 0.05); smoking, 7.2% (men 10.2%, women 4.4%; P < 0.05); diabetes, 5.7% (men 5.5%, women 5.9%, P > 0.05); overweight, 29.3% (men 27.3%, women 31.2%, P > 0.05); obesity, 19.6% (men 9.2%, women 29.0%; P < 0.05); sedentary lifestyle, 87.2% (men 83.0%, women 91,0%, P < 0.05); and left ventricular hypertrophy, 20% (men 32.0%, women 9.0%; P < 0.05). At least one risk factor was present in 27.7% of the sample; 15.2% had two risk factors, and 31.4% had three or more risk factors. Among the individuals with low socioeconomic status, 41.0% had three or more risk factors. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest the existence of a high prevalence of multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease in apparently healthy public-sector workers in Angola. The workers in lower socioeconomic groups had higher incidences of hypertension, smoking, and left ventricular hypertrophy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]