Mortality, haemoglobin level and haematocrit in women.

The mortality of 1438 women aged 45-74 from South Wales has been studied from 1967-1978 using techniques of survival analysis to determine whether the haemoglobin level (Hb) or the haematocrit (PCV) are risk factors for death due to ischaemic heart disease (IHD), cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or cancer. In the 858 women who were not menstruating and who did not complain of angina at the time of the survey a PCV over 45% was a significant risk factor for IHD mortality. An Hb level over 14 g/dl was also a risk factor but this failed to reach conventional significance, when smoking was allowed for. In the 1098 women who were not menstruating an Hb less than 12 g/dl or a PCV less than 40% are increased risk factors for cancer and this risk persisted throughout the follow-up period. Neither Hb nor PCV were significant risk factors for CVA mortality.