Assessment of some risk factors for angiographically defined coronary artery disease in the Erbil Cardiac Center

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is common in the general population, affecting the majority of adults after the age of 60 years. The prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD), which could be manifested by myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, heart failure, and coronary death, is approximately one-third to one-half that of total CVD. Longevity has increased and age-specific death rates from CVD, CAD, and stroke have declined since 1975, although at a slower rate since 1990. The number of CVD deaths remains high. 2 Many of the important risk factors for CVD are modifiable by specific preventive measures. These include smoking, dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, abdominal obesity, psychosocial factors, daily consumption of fruits and vegetables, regular alcohol consumption, and regular physical activity. Atherosclerosis is responsible for almost all cases of CAD. This insidious process begins with fatty streaks that are first seen in adolescence; these lesions progress into plaques in early adulthood, and culminate in thrombotic occlusions and coronary events in middle age and later life. 3 A variety of factors, often acting in concert, are associated with an increased risk for atherosclerotic plaques in coronary arteries and other arterial beds. Risk factor assessment is useful in adults to guide therapy for dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes, Background and objective: There are many modifiable risk factors that are closely associated with coronary artery disease. The aim of this study was to assess the association between some coronary risk factors and the angiographically documented coronary artery disease. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was based on review of hospital records of 310 consecutive patients who underwent coronary angiography in Erbil Cardiac Center. A questionnaire was used to record patient's demographic profile, coronary risk factors and the severity of stenosis in percentage. Results: Of the 310 patients, 69.4% had evidence of coronary artery disease on coronary angiography. Male gender, age, diabetes, and smoking habit were strongly associated with angiographically documented coronary artery disease, while the association of hypertension and family history were not statistically significant. Only male gender was strongly associated with severity of coronary artery disease.