Factor analysis of risk for coronary heart disease: an independent replication

Eleven risk factors for coronary heart disease were measured on 187 patients with and 187 patients without this disease. Next, factor analysis was performed to identify underlying variables, or factors, that explain the pattern of correlations within a set of observed risk factors. The factor analysis disclosed four factors that explained almost 55% of the variance: a dyslipidaemic and haemostatic complex, a pure hypercholesterolaemia, the metabolic syndrome X, and positive family and medical histories. The four extracted patterns of risk factors did not replicate previous factor analyses of coronary heart disease risk factors, in which the family history of coronary disease on one side and a generalised lack of self-control on the other were suggested. They, however, generated some understanding regarding coronary heart disease risk factors’ interactions. Also, results of the present study do encourage efforts to explore new methods designated to bring about more basic forms of personality reorganisation in the realm of self-control, which could in turn have a positive impact on risk factors profile, health status and mortality.