ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was determine the rate of achievement of lifestyle, risk factors and drug therapy targets recommended for the secondary prevention in coronary artery patients and of the effects such as age, gender and event type on the achievement of risk factor targets

This cross-sectional study enrolled 136 patients with coronary artery disease who had an acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass graft, and percutaneous coronary intervention. The data related to the risk factors, lifestyle, and drug therapies were determined using questionnaires, anthropometric and laboratory measurements. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and the Pearson’s Chi-square test.

Of the patients, 19.9% were smokers, 44.8% were inactive, 41.2% were obese, and 36.8% did not maintain a healthy diet. Furthermore, 44.1% had elevated total cholesterol, 78.7% had low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ≥70 mg/dL, 35.3% had blood pressure ≥140/90 mm/Hg, and 52.1% of patients previously diagnosed with diabetes had a glycated hemoglobin A1c ≥6.5%. Elderly patients had high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and were physically inactive whereas younger patients had high smoking rates. Only 39.7 % used lipid-lowering medication.

Results of this study showed that the achievement rate of treatment targets recommended for secondary prevention in coronary artery patients was low. Age was a factor affecting control rate of smoking, physical activity and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.