General health status in women with coronary artery disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of dead and a major health priority among women. It has influence on physical، mental and social aspects of health and individual’s perception of wellbeing. This study aimed to investigate the general health and related factors in women with CAD. In this cross-sectional descriptive study، 200 women with a diagnosis of CAD who were referred to Shahid Rajaei Cardiovascular Medical & Research Center (Tehran) were selected through convenience sampling method. The data were collected using General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). The mean (SD) score of the general health was5. 85±3. 32 (range: 0-12). 72. 5% of patients (n=145) hadunfavorable general health. The women with lower educational level (P=0. 004) andeconomical status (P<0. 001) had higher scores of GHQ. There was no significant relationship between general health and age، marital status، occupational situation، duration of disease and co morbidity. Regarding a considerable proportion of women with CAD had some problem in their general health، routine evaluation of health in this group of patients should be consider to identify those at risk، also clinical team should design and implement effective programs aimed at improving the general health especially in patients with lower educational and economical status.