Study of Risk Factors in Coronary Heart Disease

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:
Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is the commonest cause of cardiovascular and death. It is the major cause of death in most industrialised countries [1]. Previously, it was thought that the incidence of CHD is more common in the affluent societies. It has now been recognised that CHD is also common in the  developing countries, where the prevalence of CHD has been rising steadily.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:
The study was carried out at Coronary Care Unit, Mayo Hospital, Lahore. Ninetytwo patients, including both males and females were included in the study. The data was collected on a special proforma, containing information about age, sex, occupation, family history, past history, smoking habits and presence or absence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Physical examination was performed and serial e1ectro cardiograms were recorded in every patients.

RESULTS:
Data on 92 Patients suffering from acute myocardial infarction was evaluated.

DISCUSSION:
Myocardial infarction is the most important single cause of death in most of the countries. In the United Kingdom a real increase has been found in the incidence of Coronary Heart Disease [CHD} [4]. Studies done during the past few years in Pakistan have also shown an appreciable increase in the prevalence of CHD, [51. It is three to four times more common in males than females. Our study duplicates these findings (Table I).In conclusion it is stated that both major and. minor risk factors and the combination of various risk factors may play an important role in pathog enesis of coronary heart disease and their incidence may be increasing with changes in life style.