Abstract
BackgroundThe risk factors of ischemic heart disease (IHD) specific for women are less well studied. However, knowing the risk factors of IHD for women will empower women themselves to be better informed and thus can help them in decision making concerning their health condition. The objective of this study is to explore the commonly studied risk factors of ischemic heart disease (IHD) among a group of Malaysian women.MethodsA case control study was conducted among 142 newly diagnosed IHD women patients registered in government hospitals in Terengganu, Malaysia and their 1:1 frequency matched population controls. Data on sociodemographic and socioeconomic profile, co-morbidities, lifestyle factors related to physical activities, dietary fat intake, stress, passive smoking history, anthropometric measurements and biochemical markers were obtained.ResultsMiddle aged women were recruited with women diagnosed with diabetes (aOR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.11–3.31), having low HDL-C (aOR = 3.30, 95% CI: 1.28–8.27), those with positive family history of IHD (aOR = 1.92, 95% CI:1.13–3.26) and passive smokers (aOR = 2.99, 95% CI:1.81–4.94) were at higher odds of IHD.ConclusionsThe findings are useful for public health interventions and policy making focusing on specific women population.
Highlights
The risk factors of ischemic heart disease (IHD) specific for women are less well studied
This study aims to determine which of the traditional or frequently studied factors of ischemic heart disease among Malay women in Malaysia are significantly associated with the disease
Study design and subjects A case control study was carried out over a year period among newly diagnosed IHD female patients registered in government hospitals in Terengganu, a state situated in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia
Summary
The risk factors of ischemic heart disease (IHD) specific for women are less well studied. Knowing the risk factors of IHD for women will empower women themselves to be better informed and can help them in decision making concerning their health condition. With the increase of obesity in both men and women globally, there is a concern regarding the increase in ischemic heart disease especially among women since obese women are at greater risk of developing IHD [1]. Ischemic heart disease contributed 19.2% of the cause of death in men and 21.2% in women [2]. The increasing trend of mortality caused by IHD among women can be seen worldwide, but the true picture of IHD among women especially Malay women in Malaysia is unknown due to incomplete registry. A report produced in 2008 from the available registry showed that men were three times more likely than women to have acute coronary syndrome
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