Risk factors for angina pectoris in a population study of Swedish men

The Primary Preventive Trial in Göteborg, Sweden, a study of a random population sample of middle-aged men, made it possible to analyse the risk factor pattern cross-sectionally in 166 men with uncomplicated angina pectoris (AP) and compare with 5735 men without angina pectoris or myocardial infarction (MI). A prospective analysis was also performed concerning the risk factor pattern in 128 cases with uncomplicated AP and 34 cases with complicated AP (following an MI) respectively, appearing during a follow-up time of 4 years.

At cross-sectional analysis, uncomplicated AP was related to elevated serum cholesterol, elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure, increased relative body weight, smoking, diabetes mellitus, low physical activity during leisure time, dyspnea and mental stress.

However at multivariate, prospective analysis only dyspnea, stress, diabetes mellitus and increased relative body weight were predictors for uncomplicated AP. In contrast, elevated serum cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, and high physical activity at work were predictors for complicated AP.

Possible reasons for the apparent risk factor differences and different mechanisms in AP and MI are discussed.