Familial clustering of degenerative cardiovascular diseases.

Abstract

In two geographical areas; the Gurghiu Valley, in a mountain region, and the village of Jurilovca on the shores of the Razelm lagoon, investigations were performed in 390 subjects of both sexes over 20 years of age, first degree relatives of healthy index subjects (males aged 40 to 60 years) and 298 subjects of both sexes over the of 20, first degree relatives of index-subjects with coronary heart disease and/or hypertension. The prevalence of these diseases was found to be 40% higher in the families of diseased subjects. The authors assume the participation of a genetic factor in the etiology of these two degenerative cardiovascular diseases.