A Cross-sectional Study of the Prevalence of Coronary Artery Disease Traditional Risk Factors in Yazd urban population, Yazd Healthy Heart Project

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors are increasing in developing countries. Previous studies have shown a high prevalence of CAD risk factors in Iran but Geographical prevalence is not uniform. The present study was performed to determine the prevalence of CAD risk factors among Yazd urban population.

Methods: This cross- sectional study performed in 2004, comprised a total 2000 Yazd citizens (1000 males), and the corresponding data were recorded in questionnaires carrying 500 items.

Results: About 85% of Yazd citizens had at least one and 61.1% had at least two coronary artery risk factors. The following data in brackets refer to the males and females respectively. The present study showed obesity in 16.38% of Yazd citizens (9.2 and 24.2%). The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia 12.1% (10.6 and 13.8%), dyslipidemia 58.5% (59% and 57.6%), high blood pressure 25.6% (27.5% and 23.5%), diabetes mellitus 11% (10.48% and 11.5%), impaired glucose tolerance test 8.5% (7.9% and 9.1%) and cigarette smoking 13.12% (24.45% and 0.5%). Also 43.3% of men and 62.05% of women had excess weight. The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertention (HTN), and abdominal obesity increased significantly with age (P< 0.005). The prevalence of obesity, abdominal obesity, hypercholesterolemia and DM were significantly higher in women.

Conclusion: Yazd did not carry the highest levels of risk factors in Iran, but the present study showed excess weight, dyslipidemia and HTN were the most prevalent risk factors found in this region. Thus it is recommended to consider the preventive and therapeutic measures as the major health priorities in this area.