Distribution of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and the estimated 10-year risk of acute myocardial infarction or cerebral stroke in Sami and non-Sami populations: The SAMINOR 2 Clinical Survey

Objective: This study aimed to assess and compare the distribution of cardiovascular risk factors and the estimated 10-year risk of fatal or non-fatal acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or cerebral stroke (CS) among the Sami and non-Sami populations of Northern Norway. Methods: The SAMINOR 2 Clinical Survey is a cross-sectional survey conducted in 10 municipalities in the counties of Finnmark, Troms and Nordland in rural Northern Norway in 2012–2014. All inhabitants aged 40–79 years were invited to participate, and 6004 (48.2%) accepted. The NORRISK 2 model was used to estimate the 10-year risk of fatal or non-fatal AMI or CS. Sex and age were included in the model, as well as the following risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD): serum total cholesterol, serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, smoking habits and anti-hypertensive treatment. Results: Only minor ethnic differences were observed between Sami and non-Sami populations in a number of individual risk factors for CVDs. Overall, the NORRISK 2 model revealed no ethnic differences in the 10-year risk of AMI or CS. Conclusions: There were no differences in 10-year risk of AMI or CS between the Sami and non-Sami populations in 10 selected municipalities in Northern Norway.