Ishaq M, Beg MS, Ansari S A, Hakeem A, Ali S.
Coronary Artery Disease risk profiles at a specialized tertiary care centre in Pakistan.
Pak J Cardiol Jan ;14(2):61-8.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of the different risk factors (diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, family history, smoking and obesity) in patients with CAD in our patient population. BACKGROUND: The patients with first episode of acute coronary syndrome (ACD) are assessed. The total of 110 consecutive patients admitted to general ward of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) in the month of April were interviewed. Information regarding their co-morbid status and drug usage was obtained as well as details of their admission and treatment plans. The data obtained was analyzed by statistical software (SPSS) ver 10.0.5) RESULTS: Our sample showed a mean age of 55.39 years with a predominance of male patients (65.5%). Although there was no significant difference in the mean age of presentation of males versus females, Hypertension was the single most common factor being present in 59.1% of subjects. Female patients were obese, hypertensive, and by perch olesterolemic as compared to their male counterparts; while majority of males were smokers, diabetic and positive family history. It was also seen that females were found to have an average four of the seven risk factor assessed; while males average two. Twenty of the twenty two patients who developed complications (left ventricular failure, bundle branch blocks and arrhythmias) were shown to have two or more risk factors. Although ST elevation MI was the most common diagnosis (as compared to non ST elevation MI or unstable angina). The type and number of risk factors did not seem to influence this outcome. CONCLUSION: Coronary artery disease has once again been shown to be more prevalent in males than females. Smoking is the most common risk factor amongst the male population. Female patients with CAD are presenting at a much earlier age and majority are obese, hypertensive, have hypercholesterolemia and a history of angina as compared to males; and have on average more risk factors than their male counterparts.

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