Pattern of Conventional Risk Factors in Coronary Artery Disease Patients

Background: Western countries have succeeded in controlling coronary artery disease (CAD) mortality and morbidity associated with modifiable risk factors. Lack of awareness among people and absence of a concrete health strategy for protection against preventable causes of CAD continues to be a significant problem in Pakistan. This study aimed to measure the pattern of conventional risk factors of CAD. Methods: This was a descriptive study conducted at Department of Physiology, CMH Lahore Medical College, from February 2012 to June 2012. We recruited 100 physician diagnosed cases of CAD including 65 males and 35 females. We recorded detailed history of each patient regarding presence of conventional risk factors including type 2 diabetes (T2DM), smoking, hypertension (HTN), dyslipidemia, physical inactivity, emotional or physical stress and a family history for CAD. The association of categorical variables like gender and age group with risk factors was analyzed for statistical significance. Results: We found clustering of risk factors in higher age category patients. Male gender was significantly associated with smoking (p<0.0001), HTN (p=0.02) and stress (p=0.03). Whereas, T2DM (p<0.0001) and physical inactivity (p=0.01) were associated with female gender. In our study, smoking was more prevalent in younger patients (p=0.02). However, HTN (p=0.04), T2DM (p<0.0001) and hyperlipidemia (p<0.01) was more prevalent in higher age category. Conclusion: In the absence of population based prevention strategies, increasing numbers of people will succumb to CAD due to continuing exposure to modifiable risk factors.