Nov 15, 2016 - which advocate vegetarianism. The vegetarian followers lead a subsistent communal life either in temples or in private lodgings. The groups ...
BRITISH GERIATRICS SOCIETY
P22
electrocardiography and chest radiology. Portable echocardiography was performed using a Challenge Sim 7000. Results
Findings at echocardiography were: Left ventricular systolic dysfunction Aortic valve calcification Aortic stenosis Mitral valve disease Intraventricular thrombus Isolated diastolic dysfunction Left ventricular hypertrophy
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CARDIOVASCULAR SYMPTOMS AND ELECTROCARDIOGRAPH3C ABNORMALITIES OF OLDER CHINESE FEMALE VEGETARIANS
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T. KWOK, S.C. HO, and J. WOO Department of Medicine, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong Vegetarians have been shown to have lower mortality from ischaemic heart disease in epidemiological studies. However, the subjects tended to be health conscious and have high social status. In Hong Kong, there are religious groups (Taoist and Buddhist) which advocate vegetarianism. The vegetarian followers lead a subsistent communal life either in temples or in private lodgings. The groups also run vegetarian aged homes. From these settings, we recruited 85 older women (mean age 79 yrs) who had been vegetarian for more than ten years. The median duration of vegetarianism was 40 years. The majority of them were nondrinkers, non-smokers and light manual workers before retirement. The WHO cardiovascular questionnaire and the electrocardiograph (ECG) were taken. The Minnesota Coding and the Whitehall Criteria were used to classify the ECG by a trained physician. Using the cardiovascular questionnaire and ECG findings, subjects were classified to have probable, possible or no ischaemic heart disease. Fasting serum lipids levels, body mass index, past history of ischaemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and smoking were also measured or recorded. The findings were compared with those of 101 community dwelling older women ( mean age 79 yrs). In the vegetarian group, significantly less anginal or infarct symptoms were reported (p
