Prevalence of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in South Korean Adults: Results from the Korea Medical Insurance Corporation (KMIC) Study

PURPOSE: To estimate the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in South Korea. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Korea Medical Insurance Corporation (KMIC) which provides insurance to civil servants and private school workers. The study sample included female workers, ages 35 to 59 (n = 67,861), and a systematic random sample of insured male workers, ages 35 to 59 (n = 115,200), who attended insurance examinations in 1990 and 1992. Prevalence estimates were age-adjusted to reflect the Korean population, ages 35 to 59, in 1990. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension (systolic blood pressure greater-or-equal, slanted 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure greater-or-equal, slanted 90 mmHg) was 28.9% in men and 15.9% in women. The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol greater-or-equal, slanted 240 mg/dl) was 8.9% and 10.4% in men and women, respectively. Smoking was highly prevalent in men (57.4%) and uncommon in women (0.6%). The prevalence of a fasting blood sugar greater-or-equal, slanted 126 mg/dl was 4.7% in men and 1.3% in women. Among men, 74.4% had one or more of the cardiovascular risk factors under study. Among women, 29.0% had one or more of the risk factors. With advancing age, the prevalence of risk factors became more numerous, for both men and women. CONCLUSION: In order to avert the ongoing epidemic of cerebrovascular disease and the emerging problem of ischemic heart disease, prevention and treatment of modifiable risk factors must become an important health priority in South Korea.