Exploring Non-Conventional Psychosocial Factors in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study at Mardan Medical Complex

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD), marked by the constriction or obstruction of the coronary arteries responsible for heart supply, remains the foremost cause of death globally. This condition is universally acknowledged as the primary contributor to mortality rates. Traditional risk factors for CAD are extensively documented, such as hypertension. Recent research emphasizes the importance of non-conventional psychosocial factors, including depression, anxiety, marital status, job strain, effort-reward imbalance, work stress, and social support. Objective: The objective of this study is to examine non-conventional psychosocial factors in order to gain a deeper insight into their influence on coronary artery disease. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study utilized convenience sampling to collect data via questionnaires from volunteer patients who visited the cardiology department at Mardan Medical Complex. The sample size comprised 323 CAD patients, determined with a 95% confidence level using Open-Epi, based on an anticipated frequency of 30% and a critical limit of 5%. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22. Numerical variables were assessed with mean and standard deviation, while categorical variables were analyzed using frequency and percentage computations. Results: The study encompassed 323 patients diagnosed with CAD, with a response rate of 100%. Among these individuals, 171 (52.9%) were male, while 152 (47.1%) were female. Work-related stress was observed in 33 patients (10.2%). Marital stress affected 13 patients (4%), while financial stress was present in 97 patients (30%). The mean age of patients was 60.5 ± 10.3 years. Financial stress showed a significant association with CAD, while marital stress did not. Conclusion: In this study, male CAD patients experienced a higher prevalence of work-related stress compared to females. A substantial portion of the patient population was between the ages of 50 and 70 years, a demographic particularly prone to CAD and its complications. Among the non-conventional psychosocial factors investigated—work stress, marital stress, and financial stress—financial stress exhibited a significant association with CAD development, while marital stress showed no significant contribution to the disease.