European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality all over the world. It causes about one-third of all deaths in people older than 35years. We carried out this study because there was no such study carried out in Andaman and Nicobar Island to ascertain the incidence of CAD and the risk factors which lead to CAD in Andaman and Nicobar population. The health sector in Andaman and Nicobar is developing. Due to the increasing load of CAD patients recently the Cath Lab was started as the ANIIMS Port Blair / GB Pant Port Blair is the only tertiary care hospital in the whole of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. To get a better insight into the disease prevalence and how to lower the risk factors. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was done in a tertiary hospital in Port Blair to find out the prevalence of risk factors among patients with coronary artery disease. A total of 315 patients were screened based on a questionnaire, ECG (Electrocardiography) and laboratory investigations. Data was analysed in SPSS and Microsoft Excel and was presented as tables and graphs. There was significant observation based on age, clinical features, risk factors, ECG patterns and laboratory diagnosis. The result was conclusive of increased prevalence of risk factors among CAD patients which was also reported in various studies conducted in India and across the world.  Results: This study has estimated that the overall prevalence of Hypertension is 86.03%, Type 2 diabetes mellitus is 88.89%, Smoking is 55.87%, Hypercholesterolemia is 71.43%, Hypertriglyceridemia is 68.25%, Obesity is 65.40%, Stress is 61.9%, and Family history is 12.38%.  Conclusion: The present study demonstrates a high prevalence of CAD risk factors in the population of Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The study population reflects the rising trends of CAD in urban India. The incidence of CAD has increased further because of rapid urbanization and its accompanying effects like sedentary lifestyle changes, change in food habits, lack of outdoor activity. There should be an early detection of a risk factor to prevent morbidity and mortality in the community. Therefore, there is an immediate need to raise awareness among the general population regarding these risk factors, signs and symptoms of coronary heart disease promote the correct diet and physical activity, meditation,yoga and others and at the same time develop guidelines for screening and preventive therapeutic programs to identify and manage individuals at high risk for future CAD.  CAD can be prevented by dietary modification, changing lifestyle, decrease tobacco consumption and regular physical exercise. Screening and regular medical check-up of patient helps in early detection of CAD.