RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease has emerged as a major health burden worldwide. There is no study in Himachal about the prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD), hence the purpose of the study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Population based study was done in three different villages of different districts of Himachal Pradesh. The people were well notified about the survey in advance. We tried to cover all persons above the age of 30 years. We could cover around 70% of population. Total 812 persons were examined. History regarding presence and nature of chest pain was taken. Detailed physical examination was done. The detailed history about risk factors was taken. ECG of all patients was taken. Patients known to have suffered myocardial infarction, having typical angina on exertion or having undergone coronary angioplasty or coronary artery bypass surgery were labeled to have CHD. RESULTS: Eight hundred twelve patients were examined. Mean age was 47.44 +/- 12.2 yrs. Three hundred ninty-nine were males and 413 were females. Thirty three patients were found to have coronary heart disease, giving the prevalence of 4.06%. Twenty six of 399 males had CHD (6.9%) and 26 of 413 females had CHD (1.69%). Seventeen of these CHD patients were hypertensive, two were diabetic and 10 patients had family history of CHD. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of CHD was low in rural population of Himachal Pradesh, being around 4%, more in males than in females.
