Frequency of risk factors in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome to coronary care unit, Bahawal Victoria hospital, Bahawalpur

ABSTRACT

ACS is a clinical diagnosis encompassing three entities; ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction [STEMI], Non ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction [NSTEMI], and Unstable Angina. It is one of the biggest causes of hospital admissions and mortality worldwide. As it is preventable problem, we should know the commonest risk factors and address them simultaneously. The aim of study was to determine the common most risk factors of ACS in local patients. It was a cross-sectional, descriptive study conducted at Coronary Care Unit, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur. The patients from all ages and both sexes who presented with the diagnosis of ACS during December 2008 to May 2009 were included in the study by convenience sampling technique. The patients having additional medical problem [Advanced congestive cardiac failure, cerebrovascular disease, respiratory failure, autoimmune disorders, connective tissue diseases and end stage kidney disease], which could confound the results, were excluded from the study. During the study period of one year, 320 patients fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria were taken in our analysis. The male to female ratio was 21. The mean age was 55.06 +/- 18.79 years. The diagnosis was STEMI in 60 [%], NSTEMI in 98 [%] and UA in 162 [%] at the admission. The top most implicated risk factors observed in our study were male gender [66.87%], hyperlipidemia [60.31%], smoking [55.94%]. At least one of the well knownjconventional risk factors was present in almost all [99.38%] patients of ACS while any four risk factors were present in half of the patients