Evaluation of Major Modifiable Risk Factors among Coronary Artery Disease Patients Attending Institute Jantung Negara (IJN) Clinics in Malaysia

Backgrounds Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality all over the world and in Malaysia. It is important to study modifiable cardiovascular risk factors among patients, to devise preventive strategies. Risk factor modification remains the cornerstone of management of coronary artery disease (CAD). In high-risk patients, improvements in BP, diabetes, dyslipidemia control, and weight reduction are associated with large reductions in CV risk. The objective of this study was to evaluate modifiable risk factors among coronary artery disease patients attending Institute Jantung Negara (IJN) Clinics. Methods A cross-sectional study design was used in the data collection process. The study sample comprised 310 CAD outpatients who met the inclusion criteria between January 2010 and December 2010. All the patients were recruited from the outpatient clinics at IJN located in the state of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Demographic, comorbidity characteristics, detailed physical and biochemical information and therapy were reviewed and recorded in a data collection form. SPSS software version 21 was used for data analysis. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics to determine risk factors among coronary artery disease patients. Results A total of 310 coronary artery disease outpatients referred to IJN were evaluated (22.3%) females and 77.7% males) with a mean age of 61 ± 9.8 years; 238(76.8%) had diabetes since diagnosis for 6.19 ± (6.8) years, and a mean HbA1c 7.63± (2.6). About 209 (67.5%) of patients had five modifiable risk factors for CAD. Hypertension (99%) was the most common risk factor present in these patients, followed by dyslipidemia (90%), obesity (83.2%), physical inactivity (77.7%), diabetes (76.8%), and smoking (56.8%) Conclusions The prevalence of the modifiable risk factors is high among Malaysian CAD patients. The most modifiable risk factors present in this study are hypertension, followed by dyslipidemia, obesity, then physical inactivity, diabetes, and smoking habits. Most of the patients had five or more risk factors. Modification of these factors may well reduce the disease burden of CAD and reduce cardiovascular mortality. The management of patients with known CAD is far from ideal in most cases. Large, coordinated national and international secondary prevention programs are necessary to improve risk factor control and outcomes among patients with established coronary artery disease.