PREVALENCE AND AWARENESS OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE INCLUDING LIFE STYLES IN A LOWER MIDDLE CLASS URBAN COMMUNITY IN AN ASIAN COUNTRY

Abstract

The emerging Cardiovascular Diseases are becoming leading cause of death in the developing countries. The incidence of coronary heart disease in Pakistan is not well established. The aim was to report the prevalence of coronary heart disease in an urban Pakistani Community and to evaluate the awareness of coronary heart disease and to determine life styles of the community. Material: Metroville a suburb of Karachi was selected, it has 4296 household population. After open invitation 398 households agreed to participate in an intervention study. The data obtained at baseline is basis of this report. Subjects ≥ 18 years age were 1078 while 382 males and 343 females were > 30 years age. Physical exam height, weight, BMI, ECG, waist circumference, blood pressure were determined. Questionnaire was administered to evaluate life styles and awareness in face to face interviews. Results: Household data showed 1.24 families per household with 3.98 adults and 4.26 children. Uneducated were 27.5% while 26.3% had 10 years as more schooling. Most had job. By history the prevalence of heart attack was 8.2% in women and 4.5% in men, Over all 6.2%, Stroke 2.6, hypertension 26.7% and diabetes 9.5%. Abnormal ECG suggesting myocardial infarction or ishaemia prevalence rate was 4.4 percent. awareness that heart attack was major problem was reported in 40% men and 25% women who strongly agreed while 31% men and 35% agreed that heart attack can not be prevented. Food and its linkage to coronary heart disease showed majority were aware of organ meat, fat and obesity linkage to coronary heart disease. Life Styles: Physical activity was mostly confined to walking stairs at home and shopping trips. Tobacco was used by 34.3% men and 6.2% women. Conclusion: Coronary heart disease prevalence was significant in an urban Karachi community and the prevalence had increased over the past decades. Smoking, obesity were prevalent. The community had sedentary life style.