EFREQUENCY OF RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH CORONARY HEART DISEASE AMONG PATIENTS WITH HIGHER BODY MASS INDEX

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of risk factorsassociated with coronary heart disease (CHD) among patients with higherBMI).

Methodology: This crosssectional study was conducted at Bahawal VictoriaHospital, Bahawalpur, from January 2011 to December 2013. All patients 18years of age, from both gender who attended cardiology clinic and gave consent,were included. Patients diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction within 3months of starting the study, and those who had stroke, congestive cardiacfailure or renal failure were excluded. Patients were categorized into three groupsi,e. BMI <25(Normal), BMI 25- 29.9 (overweight) and BMI >30 (obesity). Therisk factors associated with CHD were recorded. A descriptive analysis of thecharacteristics of patients overall was performed, and the characteristics ofpatients with BMI <25 and BMI >25 were compared. P-value < 0.05 wereconsidered as statistically significant .

Results: A total number of 1492 patients were studied. Overall, 62.5% of patientswere overweight/obese. The group of patients who had higher BMI (BMI>25)had more females(64%), more smokers(54%), more patients with diabetesmellitus (71.5%), hypertension (72%), ischemic heart disease (58%), hyperlipidemia(88%) and post-menopausal women (64%).

Conclusion: In conclusion, 62.5% of patients were overweight/obese. Diabeticand hypertensive patients had a higher prevalence of being overweight/obese,71.5% and 72%, respectively. Age, gender, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus,hypertension and BMI were found to be independently associated with the risk ofdeveloping CHD.