Prevalence of coronary artery disease risk factors in Iran: a population based survey

A descriptive cross sectional survey was conducted involving 3000 healthy adults at 18 years of age or above who were recruited with cluster random sampling. Demographic data and risk factors were determined by taking history, physical examination and laboratory tests.The average age was 36.23 ± 15.26. There was 1381 female (46%) and 1619 male (54%) out of which 6.3% were diabetic, 21.6% were smoker, and 15% had positive familial heart disease history. 61% had total cholesterol level > 200 mg/dL, 32% triglyceride > 200 mg/dl, 47.5% LDL-c > 130 mg/dl, 5.4% HDL-c < 35 mg/dl, 13.7% systolic blood pressure > 140 mmHg, 9.1% diastolic blood pressure > 90 mmHg and 87% of them were physically inactive.Clinical and Para-clinical data indicated that Iranian adult population are of a high level of CAD risk factors, which may require urgent decision making to address national control measures regarding CAD.CAD is a leading cause of mortality, morbidity, and disability in Iranian population. It accounts for nearly 50 percent of all deaths per year. CAD is characterized by the presence of atherosclerosis in the epicardial coronary arteries. Atherosclerotic plaques, the hallmark of atherosclerosis, progressively narrow the coronary artery lumen and impair ante grade myocardial blood flow. The reduction in coronary artery flow may be symptomatic or asymptomatic, may occur with exertion or at rest, and may culminate in a myocardial infarction, depending on obstruction severity and the rapidity of its development [1]. CAD is the most common form of cardiovascular disease with an estimated prevalence of CAD in men is 6.9% and 6% among women [1]. For people at 18 years of age and above prevalence estimates are: only 11.4 percent among whites. While 5.9 percents suffered from heart disease, 5.9 percent have hypertension and 2.3 percent have had a stroke [2].Among African Americans black only, 9.9 percents had heart disease, 5.3 percents CHD,31.6 percents had hypertension and 3.5 percent