Risk factors of coronary artery disease in family members living with acutecoronary patients

Abstract

Coronary artery disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the world and such comorbidity when diagnosed affects the context individual and family performance, so the aim of this study was to identify risk factors for coronary artery disease in cohabiting family members patients with acute coronary syndrome and identify the association of these factors with sociodemographic profile. It is a cross-sectional study, conducted at the University Hospital; the sample was composed of 50 different families and 158 cohabiting family members of patients with the acute coronary syndrome. The risk factors were evaluated by an interview with an instrument developed by the researchers and previously validated instruments. Data were submitted to descriptive statistics and to assess the relationship between the variables association tests were used. Most families had low income, low education level and a high number of cohabiting and dependents. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, obesity, physical inactivity, alcohol consumption and smoking were risk factors most commonly found. The age over 51 years was associated with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia and age between 20 to 50 years showed greater association with alcoholism and smoking; poor education with diabetes mellitus, obesity and high blood pressure; marital status with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia and alcoholism; the occupation was related to alcoholism and smoking, low income with alcoholism and alcohol abuse was associated with smoking. Improper lifestyle associated with sociodemographic factors and existing comorbidities demonstrate the need for health education also for these cohabiting family.