Risk Factors among the Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) Patients Attending at Tertiary Level Hospitals of Dhaka City, Bangladesh

Background: Cardiovascular diseases, mainly coronary heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in Bangladesh and increasing in epidemic proportion in time.

Objective: To identify and quantify risk factors among the coronary heart disease patients attending at tertiary level hospitals.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 144 diagnosed CHD patients who were admitted in different tertiary level hospitals in Dhaka city during March to June 2010. The respondents were selected through purposive sampling for interview and data were collected by face to face interview. Patients record file were also reviewed using checklists. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 16.0 and presented in tables and graphs.

Results: The mean age of the respondents were 55.26±12.35 years. More than two-third (69%) of the respondents were exposed to smoking. Majority (85%) were physically inactive. The recommended intake of fruits and vegetables by the respondents were low (30%). About 60% of the respondents were found to intake extra table salt. The percentage of overweight and obesity was high (67%) with higher proportion of women (82.1%) than men (62.9%). About two-third of the respondents (65%) were with higher level of cholesterol. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension were 36% and 51% respectively. Risk factors analysis revealed at least one risk factor was among almost all of the respondents (99.3%) and at least two, three and four risk factors was prevalent among 98.6%, 87.5% and 66.7% of the respondent respectively.

Conclusion: A substantial proportion of different behavioral, biological and biochemical risk factors were present among coronary heart disease patient that suggests the need for ongoing monitoring of CHD risk factors and implementation of effective preventive strategies for reducing secondary events and its consequences.