Incidence and pattern of cardiovascular disease in a Nigerian teaching hospital

Abstract
Epidemiological data on cardiovascular disorders are generally lacking in the developing nations. The aim of this study was to assess the five years' incidence and pattern of cardiovascular disease in a NigerianTeaching Hospital. The records of patients diagnosed as having various cardiovascular disorders between 1997 and 2001 were scrutinized. Data such as age, sex, diagnosis, length of hospitalization and status at discharge (dead or alive) were obtained. A total number of 1104 patients were recorded. Heart failure (35%) followed by hypertension (32%) was found to be the most prevalent.