The incidence of chronic degenerative diseases like stroke and myocardial infarction in
African subpopulations is reported to be increasing. In view of the association between
dyslipidemia and these chronic degenerative diseases, we investigated some well-established
cardiovascular risk factors (plasma cholesterol and its fractions as high-density lipoprotein
(HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglyceride, adiposity and blood pressure) in 92
subjects (43 males and 49 females) in Abeokuta, Nigeria. LDL cholesterol was significantly
higher in the women compared with men (128.58mg/dl vs 108.73mg/dl; p = 0.028). Total
cholesterol, although slightly higher in women, was not significantly different from that of
men (155.71mg/dl vs 147.26mg/dl). HDL cholesterol and triglyceride were not significantly
different between the two sexes, although women tended to have lower HDL cholesterol
when compared with men. LDL/HDL cholesterol and total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol were
significantly higher in women compared with men (4.20 vs 2.97; p = 0.004; 5.03 vs 4.06; p =
0.024, respectively). Systolic blood pressure was higher in men compared with women
(117.58 vs 104.84; p = 0.002). Results indicate that the association between cholesterol and
chronic degenerative diseases is continuous with no single cholesterol level separating those
who are at high risk from those who are not. Rather in defining cardiovascular risks in
African populations, the ratios LDL/HDL cholesterol and total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol
should be considered. It might be appropriate at this time in Nigeria to consider physical
activity and pharmacological interventions in lowering blood lipids.