Assessment of some cardiovascular risk factors during the pre-Haj medical examinations in Oman

Hospital-based data in Oman reveal that ischaemic heart disease and cerebrovascular diseases alone account for 30% of hospital deaths in the age group 15 years and above. Very few community-based data are available on the subject, hence a multicentre cardiovascular screening study was undertaken during the pre-Haj medical examination in May 1991, in which 1749 Omanis were screened. Blood pressure levels, body-mass index, serum cholesterol and sugar were recorded and analysed. The results of this study indicate that major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases are prevalent in the community, hence further epidemiological studies should be undertaken, and strategies formulated for the prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases before they emerge as a public health problem in Oman