Elsevier

American Heart Journal

Volume 63, Issue 4, April 1962, Pages 437-442
American Heart Journal

Clinical communication
Cardiovascular studies in the Samburu tribe of Northern Kenya

https://doi.org/10.1016/0002-8703(62)90298-3Get rights and content

Abstract

The Samburu tribe of Northern Kenya live on a diet of milk and meat and are physically very active. There is no increase in weight with age, and only a small increase in weight with advance in height. They show no rise in systolic blood pressure until the seventh decade, and diastolic pressures fall after the fifth decade. Levels of lipids in the blood are comparable with those found in groups living on low-fat diets, and it is suggested that this phenomenon is related to the seasonal variation in supply. Initial electrocardiographic studies suggest a low incidence of coronary heart disease. Further studies are in progress to investigate more fully the many questions raised by this initial survey.

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This study was made possible by grants from the United States Public Health Service (H-4791), Makerere College Research Grants Committee, and the East African Council for Medical Research.

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