The relationship between ischemic heart disease and coronary risk factors in population aged over 25 in Qazvin: A population-based study

¯Abstract Background: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the first and the most common cause of death in all age groups and both sexes in Iran. Objective: To determine the CHD prevalence among the population of Qazvin. Methods: In this cross sectional study, 501 males and 499 females aged 25 or more (mean 47.1±11.9 yr) were assessed for the presence of CHD. Twelve lead ECG was obtained for each participant over 30 years old. The CHD risk factors were compared between normal and ischemic groups. The Minnesota code was used for ECG coding. Findings: Age adjusted prevalence of possible MI, ischemic ECG and angina pectoris were 2.5%, 18.9%, and 1.1%, respectively. There was no significant difference between mean values of systolic/diastolic blood pressure among ischemic ECG and possible MI groups when compared with normal group. Also, the comparison of mean values for BMI in ischemic ECG and possible MI groups with normal group shown to be insignificant, statistically. . There was a significant association between possible MI and hypertension, type II diabetes, and smoking in females. The data were also indicative of a significant relationship between the ischemic ECG and WHR in females and hypertension in males. Meanwhile, the possible MI was more frequent in smokers than non smokers. Conclusion: Based on results obtained in our study, CHD was directly associated with age and smoking in all sex and age groups and also with hypertension and diabetes in females. So, regarding the high prevalence of asymptomatic CHD, the screening and preventive measures for CHD risk factors seem to be necessary.