PREVELANCE AND COMPARISON OF CONVENTONAL CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH ACUTE CORNARY SYNDROME AMONG MEN AND WOMEN: A DESCRIPTIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide and is closely linked to conventional cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, and dyslipidemia. Emerging evidence indicates that the distribution and impact of these risk factors differ between men and women, particularly in developing countries where sex-specific data are limited. Understanding these variations is essential for improving risk stratification and preventive strategies.

Objective: To evaluate and compare the prevalence of conventional cardiovascular risk factors associated with acute coronary syndrome among male and female patients.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, from July to October 2022. A total of 100 patients aged 18–70 years with suspected or confirmed ACS were enrolled through non-probability convenience sampling. Diagnosis was based on clinical assessment, cardiac biomarkers, and electrocardiographic findings. Data were collected using a structured proforma that included demographic details, ACS subtype, and conventional cardiovascular risk factors. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.0. Categorical variables were compared using the chi-square test, with a p-value < 0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results: Of the 100 patients, 61 (61%) were female and 39 (39%) were male, with a mean age of 59.6 ± 9.9 years. Unstable angina was the most common presentation, affecting 54 (54%) patients, followed by ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in 34 (34%) and non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in 12 (12%). Hypertension was present in 80 (80%) patients, diabetes mellitus in 58 (58%), smoking in 14 (14%), and hyperlipidemia in 9 (9%). Hypertension was significantly more prevalent among females (54/61, 88.5%) compared to males (26/39, 66.7%) (p = 0.008). Diabetes mellitus was also more common in females (41/61, 67.2%) than males (17/39, 43.6%) (p = 0.019). Smoking was exclusively observed among males (14/39, 35.9%) (p < 0.001). Hyperlipidemia showed no statistically significant sex difference (p = 0.72).

Conclusion: ACS demonstrated a higher occurrence among female patients in this cohort, particularly beyond middle age. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were the predominant risk factors among women, whereas smoking was strongly associated with men. These findings emphasize meaningful gender-based differences in cardiovascular risk profiles and support the need for gender-sensitive prevention, early screening, and targeted public health strategies.