Cardiovascular disease in African Pygmies. A survey of the health status, serum lipids and diet of Pygmies in Congo.

Abstract The general health status with particular reference to cardiovascular disease and serum lipids has been evaluated in a sample of Pygmies of the Ituri Forest. Malaria, filariasis, treponemal infection, and other diseases were found to be common. The Pygmy blood pressures were not greatly different from the blood pressures observed in studies of Americans. Functional heart murmurs were common. Instances of aortic valve incompetence, essential hypertension, and coarction of the aorta were found. Abnormal electrocardiograms were encountered at about the same frequency as has been reported in population studies in the United States but the repolarization abnormalities observed were more frequent and resembled those previously reported from South Africa. No electrocardiogram definitely diagnostic of myocardial infarction was found, but without anatomical studies the presence of coronary artery disease cannot be excluded. Very low serum cholesterol values were found and this finding is discussed in relationship to the Pygmies' diet, physical activity and coexistant disease.