effect of using Kalleh-Pacheh, smoking and diabetes on myocardial infarction in Arak district of Iran: an extension of Isfahan healthy heart project

Kalleh-Pacheh is an Iranian food used in many part of Iran and many other countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. We found no information regarding the effect of this food on acute myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of this food, together with diabetes and smoking on myocardial infarction in Arak district. This was a case-cohort study which was performed hi Arak district. In this study the data of Arak sub-cohort was taken from Isfahan healthy heart project which was performed in 2001. Cases were myocardial infracted hospitalized patients who were resident in Arak at the time of study. We showed the effect of different exposure, on myocardial infarction by estimating relative risk and population attributable fraction and 95% confidence interval. In this study 150 cases were compared with 6339 sub-cohorts. The population attributable fraction for Kalleh-Pacheh was 19% [95% CI, 6 to 30%]. This measure for diabetes and smoking was 31% [95% CI, 23 to 39%] and 41% [95% CI, 31 to 49%] respectively. According to the results of our study; smoking, diabetes and using Kalleh-Pacheh has significant effect on myocardial infarction

Mean duration of EKg changes in patients with unstable angina

Chest pain in unstable angina is associated with EKG changes in T-wave and ST-segment, which may help diagnose the disease. Based on certain references EKG changes prolonged for more than 12 hours may be suggestive of non-Q myocardial infarction. This study was conducted to assess the mean duration of EKG changes in patients with unstable angina. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 34 patients in 2001. The subjects were randomly selected among patients hospitalized in the critical care unit of Isfahan Nour Hospital. New ST-segment T-wave changes and ruling out of acute myocardial infarction by enzymatic tests [Total CPK, CPK-MB, LDH] constituted criteria of inclusion in the study. Subjects with Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome [WFW], salivary diseases, those taking anti-arrhythmic, anti-angina, or digital medications, patients with left bundle branch block, and those who had recently undergone surgery [all of which may cause T-wave and ST-segment changes] were excluded from the study. The patients were followed up for three months after discharges. EKG changes persisted for 28.65 +/- 7 days. Changes of ST-segment and T-wave lasted for 14.7 +/- 24 and 30.1 +/- 38 days, respectively. The minimum and maximum durations of EKG changes in patients were 1 day and 90 days, respectively. Eight patients underwent angiography; seven displayed abnormal findings. Statistical analysis did not show a significant relationship between the duration of EKG changes and severity of coronary involvement or incidence of future complications. EKG changes in patients with unstable angina who have recently developed these changes may persist for an average duration of one month and may complicate diagnosis. Hence greater importance should be attached to clinical symptoms and further laboratory diagnostic methods should be used

[ situation of new risk factors of cardiovascular disease in urban population of Isfahan]

During recent years, many epidemiological studies on risk factors of cardiovascular disease [CVD] have been performed among which are fibrinogen, activity of factor VII, lipoprotein [a], and homocysteine as new CVD risk factors. Through completed studies, it is found that in urban population of Isfahan more than one risk factor [hypertension, smoking, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes and obesity are seen in 32% of men and a descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in 1998-99 and 409 subjects [175 men, 234 women] were randomly sample. Then each subject underwent a blood test, electrocardiography, medical examination and daily physical activity assessment. Nutrient intakes were obtained through assessment of food consumption as 3-day recall. Personal information and anthropometric measurements were also recorded. Fast blood sugar and serum lipids were measured by auto analyzer Elan 2000; lipoprotein [a] by ELISA; hemocystein by HPLC; fibrinogen by turbidimetry and factor VII by calculating coagulation time compared to standard time. Statistical analyses were done by t-tests. The results showed that mean fibrinogen, factor VII, lipoprotein [a], and hemocystein were 244.9+/-7 mg/dl, 118.3+/-58 per cent. 13.3+/-13 mg/dl and 11.5+/-3 micro mol/lit respectively in studied population. By comparing these new CVD risk factors over the world, it was determined that their- levels were in the normal range in urban population of Isfahan. The level of fibrinogen and hemocystein are higher and lower in women than those in men, respectively that is compatible with many other studies

Lipid profiles in the Isfahan population: an Isfahan cardiovascular disease risk factor survey, 1994

A population-based study was conducted in 1994 in Isfahan to define the prevalence of various types of hyperlipidaemia and the mean concentrations of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein [HDL] cholesterol. In all, 2200 people were randomly chosen and classified into five age groups [20-70 years]. The data were obtained by questionnaires and anthropometric measurements and serum lipids and fasting blood sugar were measured. The prevalence of hyperlipidaemia was higher in women than men. Multiple linear regression showed only HDL cholesterol and triglycerides to be associated with body mass index. The most prevalent lipid abnormality was HDL cholesterol. Diet modification and physical activity should be encouraged to reduce hyperlipidaemia

Prevalence of hypertension and associated risk factors in Isfahan, Islamic Republic of Iran

A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted to determine the mean levels of blood pressure and prevalence rates of hypertension and to identify differences in the prevalence of other risk factors in hypertensive and nonhypertensive people. A total of 8624 men and women > or = 19 years were randomly selected. Overall, 18.0% [16.8% males and 19.4% females] had systemic hypertension. The mean levels of systolic and diastolic blood pressure and the prevalence of hypertension increased with age, but no significant differences were found between the sexes when adjusted for body mass index. There was a high prevalence of obesity, hyperlipidaemia and diabetes mellitus among hypertensive people compared with nonhypertensive. Our study suggests that the prevalence of hypertension in Isfahan is greater than supposed