ABSTRACT

Arteriosclerosis is slowly progressing inflammatory disease characterized by irregularly distributed lipid deposits in the intimae of large and medium sized arteries. Elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein, a major carrier of plasma cholesterol, are the underlying factor in the development of atherosclerosis. Some of the factors that are involved in the development, progression and complications of atherosclerosis include: diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and elevated lipid level. This work was designed to ascertain the predisposition of Umuahia and Ishiagu residents to the development of atherosclerosis using elevated lipid level as indices. 199 people aged between 22 to 84 years were studied. Blood samples were collected from the subjects after feeling a questionnaire to find their alcoholic intake. Their blood lipid profile and blood glucose were analyzed spectrophotometrically following standard procedure .The blood pressure was determined using aneroid sphygmomanometer and body mass index (BMI) was also calculated from their weight and height measurements. The plasma mean ± SD (mgldl) of total cholesterol(TC), high-density lipoproteinHDL), low-density lipoprotein(LDL) and, triacyglycerol(TAG) were 227.48±90.62, 80.03±30.67, 112.47±88.50 and 158.09±66.86(mg/dl) respectively for males, and 214.22±83.21, 74.89±30.82, 106.37±73.89 and 163.34±77.20(mgldl) respectively for females. Diabetic patients had higher lipid levels and higher blood pressure than non-diabetics. Males who took alcohol had low TC, and HDL, but higher LDL, TAG, than those who did not take alcohol. Also females who took alcohol had lower TC, LDL, and HDL but higher TAG than those who did not take alcohol.