The Caerphilly Prospective Heart Study comprises an integrated research programme based on Caerphilly, a small town in south Wales (population 45000) [168]. This Prospective Heart Study offers the potential to describe these relationships in 2512 White European males recruited between ages 45-59 years who have been followed for up to 15 years with the expressed aim of identifying relationships of risk factors to cardiovascular disease [169]. This epidemiological study is co-ordinated by The Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit in Penarth and recruitment was via the electoral role and primary care with 89% of all men in the age band consenting to participate [170]. The MRC Epidemiology Unit had the foresight to establish a DNA resource. In this region of Wales there is very little population mobility with blood pressure data available on 82% of men on at least 2 occasions and very high ethnic homogeneity with 98% of the cohort being of White European British ancestry. Blood pressures were measured seated by trained observers using a random zero sphygmomanometer. Current treatment history with anti-hypertensives (including class and type) and previous diagnosis of raised blood pressure were recorded at each follow up point. Data from Caerphilly indicates a population prevalence of 23% for hypertension defined by World Health Organisation criteria. Accordingly, the study offers adequate power to refute a relationship of a variant of the β2 adrenoceptor with blood pressure. A particular advantage of the cohort is the availability of blood pressure measurements at 5 year intervals which offers a novel opportunity to establish whether such genetic variants associate with a rise in blood pressure over time (adjusted for confounding variables) and importantly relate to cardiovascular end points in a prospective manner.
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The data available on the Caerphilly Heart Study includes
General medical and social information– Questionnaires were used to obtain data on general health, medical history, smoking history, family history, and social class.
Anthropometry–Height and sitting height were measured on a Holtain stadiometer, skinfold thickness was measured at three sites, frame size was estimated from several skeletal measurements, and body weight was taken on a beam balance.
Lung function–Forced expiratory volume in one second and forced vital capacity were measured with a McDermott spirometer.
Prevalent IHD–An ECG was taken with chest and limb leads and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine chest pain questionnaire was administered.
Blood pressure was measured on a Hawksley random zero muddler sphygmomanometer.
Haematology–Blood samples were sent for routine haematology and for whole blood viscosity.
Biochemistry–Factors thought to be of possible relevance to HDL cholesterol concentrations include thyroid, liver, and renal function. In order to get some information on these the following was measured: T4 and T3 uptake by radioimmunoassay, total protein, albumen, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, and aspartic transaminase together with creatinine and uric acid.
Plasma lipids–Total serum cholesterol and triglyceride, and HDL cholesterol were measured.
Thrombosis factors–Fibrinogen was estimated by both a biological and a chemical method.
Plasma hormones–Testosterone, oestradiol and cortisol, were measured.
© 2001 Alexander Binder