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Prehypertension as an entity has been given Importance after JNC VII report. The magnitude of this problem in India and the importance of recognising prehypertension is slowly growing and getting established. Under these circumstances it was decided to study the prevalence of prehypertension in the city of Belgaum in Karnataka and the literature was reviewed. The objective of this study was to find out the prevalence of prehypertension in the urban population of Belgaum above thirty years of age. The urban population of Belgaum city was screened for prehypertension and hypertension by measuring blood pressure of all individuals aged 30 years and above. Blood pressure of 52196 persons was checked and the data was analysed. JNC VII criteria was used for defining hypertension, prehypertension and normal blood pressure. Among 52196 persons prehypertension was present in 41.1%, 67.1% were in the age group of 30-50 years. The prevalence was similar in both male and female population. Thirty-three percent of diabetic population had prehypertension. About 22.8% of prehypertensives were obese. Prehypertension is highly prevalent in urban population of India, more often seen in persons below 50 years of age. This study recognises the importance of detection of prehypertension and emphasises the need for mass education on life style modification to prevent the development of hypertension and its complications.

A retrospective analysis of 3790 consecutive patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) who underwent haemodynamic and angiographic studies at Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology, Bangalore, from April 1981 to April 1994 has been done. The incidence of various CHD has been compared with that in other series from Asian and Western countries. Out of 6985 patients who underwent haemodynamic studies, 3790 had CHD (54.3%). Approximately 63 percent (2386) of these cases had shunt lesions like atrial septal defect (ASD), ventricular septal defect (VSD) and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Among them, 15 percent (367) had pulmonary arterial hypertension of various grades. The overall incidence of pulmonary arterial hypertension is higher than that reported in the Western literature. Corrective surgery was done in approximately 63 percent of cases. Ethnic differences in the incidence of CHD were found in this study when compared to the Eastern and Western literature. Congenital aortic stenosis and coarctation of aorta were less common compared to Western countries and Tetralogy of Fallot was less common compared to Eastern countries.

Three hundred fifty women with acute myocardial infarction who formed 17% of total myocardial infarction cases admitted were studied. Only 7.7% were below 40 years. Infarction occurred mostly (80%) in postmenopausal period. History of previous illness was present in 73% cases. Risk factors were present in majority (75%) of the cases. Common risk factors in Indian women were hypertension in 49% cases and diabetes mellitus in 34% cases. None were using oral contraceptives and it occurred mostly (77%) in multiparous women. Majority (94%) presented with typical chest pain. Premonitory symptoms occurred in only a few patients (14%). Complications occurred more frequently in 40% cases. Mortality rate appears to be high (18%); the commonest cause being cardiogenic shock.