Prevalence of conventional risk factors in patients with coronary heart disease

Extensive clinical and statistical studies have identified risk factors that increase the incidence of coronary heart disease. It is commonly suggested that more than 50% of patients with coronary heart disease lack any of the conventional risk factors.
Objective. To determine the prevalence of four conventional risk factors among patients with coronary heart disease.
Material and methods. We analyzed data of 606 patients with coronary heart disease (myocardial infarction, unstable and stable angina pectoris) hospitalized in the Clinics of Santariškės, Vilnius University Hospital, in 1997–2005.
Results. Among patients with coronary heart disease, at least one of four conventional risk factors was present in 98% of patients. Hypertension was present in 47.7% of patients, diabetes – in 12.9%, dyslipidemia – 90.1%, and smoking – in 24.1% of patients. In younger patients (<55 years), only 2.3% of patients lacked any of four conventional risk factors. Two-thirds (66.5%) of younger patients with coronary heart disease had two and more risk factors.
Conclusions. Considering the fact that patients with coronary heart disease often lack conventional risk factors, currently more attention is given to nontraditional risk factors as well as genetic causes of coronary heart disease. Nevertheless, the present study revealed that 98% of patients with coronary heart disease had at least one of four conventional risk factors. Among younger patients (younger than 55 years), conventional risk factors are identified very frequently. Thus, it can be concluded that in order to reduce the epidemic of coronary heart disease, much greater emphasis should be given to identify and to improve prevention of four conventional risk factors as well as the lifestyle of the patient.