Trends in the prevalence of cardiovascular disease, defined as ECG abnormalities and/or self-reported events, in Mauritius between 1987 and 2021: analysis of data from seven large population-based surveys

Objective To estimate the prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) in Mauritius. Over the last half century, rapid socioeconomic development has taken place in the multiethnic Mauritius. It is unclear if this is paralleled with an increasing prevalence of CHD. Design Repeated cross-sectional population-based studies. Setting Mauritius. Participants Seven population-based surveys were performed in Mauritius between 1987 and 2021. Altogether, 29 997 participants aged 35–74 years were included. Measures Except in 2004 and 2021, all participants were examined with an ECG. ECG changes were classified as ‘probable CHD’ and ‘possible CHD’ according to the Minnesota Code model. Participants were asked about previous myocardial infarction, stroke and angina pectoris as told by a doctor. An affirmative answer to any of these questions was labelled as the presence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Since 2009, questions about previous coronary bypass surgery and percutaneous coronary intervention were included. The prevalence estimates were age and sex standardised to the 2008 Mauritian population. Multivariable logistic regression evaluated associations between traditional CVD risk factors and CHD. Results The prevalence (with 95% CI) of probable CHD according to ECG did not increase between 1987 and 2015, 1.6% (1.2–2.1%) and 1.9% (1.5–2.3%), respectively, whereas the prevalence of possible CHD decreased, 23.7% (22.3–25.1%) and 17.3% (16.2–18.3%), respectively. Self-reported CVD did not increase between 1987 and 2021. Male sex, diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), hypertension, smoking and self-reported history of CVD were associated independently with probable CHD, whereas female sex, IGT, hypertension, high cholesterol and self-reported history of CVD were associated independently with possible CHD. Ethnicity did not associate with probable CHD but with possible CHD. Postload plasma glucose associated with probable and possible CHD. Conclusions The prevalence of probable CHD according to ECG and the prevalence of self-reported history of CVD did not increase in Mauritius. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors were associated significantly with the presence of probable and possible CHD.