Leon D. Ostrander

Epidemiological Studies of Cardiovascular Disease in a Total Community—Tecumseh, Michigan

Excerpt Much knowledge on the epidemiology of the various cardiovascular disorders, particularly coronary heart disease (1), has been gained in recent years. Data on prevalence, incidence, and mort...

Relationship of Premature Systoles to Coronary Heart Disease and Sudden Death in the Tecumseh Epidemiologic Study

Abstract Electrocardiograms were recorded on 5,129 persons aged 16 and over in Tecumseh, Mich. Premature systoles occurred in 264 individuals (5.1%); they were ventricular in 70% and supraventricul...

Hyperglycemia and Hypertriglyceridemia Among Persons with Coronary Heart Disease

Excerpt Coronary heart disease has been associated with a number of physiologic abnormalities, of which hypertension and hypercholesterolemia have been most clearly defined as risk factors. Regardl...

Left Axis Deviation: Prevalence, Associated Conditions, and Prognosis: An Epidemiologic Study

Abstract In Tecumseh, Michigan, 4,678 persons past 20 years of age participated in a series of comprehensive examinations in 1959 and 1960. The electrocardiograms of 248 participants showed a mean ...

The Tecumseh Study

The Tecumseh Community Health Study has been described in terms of its history, aims, design, conduct and current results, work in progress and future plans. This prospective epidemiological investigation of health and disease, especially cardiovascular disease and related disorders, in a total, natural community has its emphasis on the early detection of disease precursors in susceptible individuals, families, and other groups; the outlook is on prevention. An extensive and intensive study of this kind has been shown to be both feasible and productive. It represents what Dr. Thomas Francis, Jr., has called “clinical investigation on a community level,” including data on man and his environment. The key contribution of Dr. Francis in the establishment and conduct of the study is recalled and remembered with deep appreciation and respect.

Detection of individual susceptibility toward coronary disease

Current views on the usefulness of pre-clinical markers to detect susceptibility toward coronary heart disease have been presented, including the role of the hyperlipidemias, hypertension, hyperglycemia, obesity, family history and several other personal attributes. In addition, various clinical, electrocardiographic and other indices of early clinical disease serve as premonitory warning signals toward myocardial infarction and sudden death. Individuals harboring one or more of these risk factors should be detected and protected by means of preventive measures.

The relation of “Silent” T wave inversion to cardiovascular disease in an epidemiologic study

Forty-seven adults (24 men and 23 women), approximately 1 percent of the examined population of Tecumseh, Mich. had nonspecific T wave inversion unassociated with symptoms or physical signs of heart disease or administration of drugs. They had a higher age-specific prevalence of obesity, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and hyperglycemia than the total examined Tecumseh population. Individuals with silent T wave inversion also had a significantly higher mortality than expected for a representative sample of Tecumseh participants of similar age and sex. The physiologic abnormalities and course of these 47 persons suggests that even without other symptoms or signs T wave inversions is usually an indication of hypertensive or coronary heart disease. T wave inversion may be a benign finding in the occasional individual who remains free of overt disease and has no abnormalities predisposing to heart disease.

FASTING SERUM-TRIGLYCERIDES CONCENTRATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF SUBCUTANEOUS FAT

Abstract Among a group of twenty-eight men aged 35-54 a highly significant correlation was found between fasting serum-triglyceride and the ratio of subscapular skinfold thickness to triceps skinfold. This relation was not attributable to a common correlation with obesity or glucose intolerance. In a similarly selected group of twenty-one men aged 55 and over there was no significant correlation between serum-triglycerides and the skinfold ratio. The hypothesis is advanced that in the younger men the correlation is due to a hormonal factor.

Alterations of Factors Predisposing to Coronary Heart Disease

Abstract Habits, Physical and psychological factors, and biochemical abnormalities associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease are discussed. There is no conclusive proof that corre...

The Metabolic Basis of Human Atherosclerosis

Excerpt A national symposium under the auspices of the Heart Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania onThe Metabolic Basis of Human Atherosclerosiswas held in Philadelphia in February. Dr. Peter T...