Lifestyle of Coronary Artery Patients Aged Under and Over 45 Years in Tabriz, Iran: A Comparative Study

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), especially ischemic heart diseases (IHDs) are one of the most important health-related issues in the world. Lifestyle plays a remarkable role in preventing or developing such diseases. Therefore, given the importance of lifestyle as an influential factor in the incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and the rise of these diseases in younger ages, the aim of the current research was to investigate and compare various aspects of patients" lifestyles on developing CAD and subsequently to contrast them with non-affected patients.

This study included 368 people who were equally divided into four groups of under 45-years-old coronary and non-coronary disease, as well as 45-years and older coronary and non-coronary disease. The participants were selected by means of the convenience sampling method from Madani heart center and Shohada hospital of Tabriz from March to June 2018. Non-coronary and coronary patients were matched in terms of gender and age (±3 years) and data were collected using a 65-item lifestyle questionnaire through interviews.

The mean lifestyle scores were obtained as 103.02 ± 12.11, 123.83 ± 10.35, 99.25 ± 0.27, and 129.02 ± 10.65 for under 45-years-old coronary patients and their counterpart control group, as well as 45-years-old and older patients and their counterpart control group, respectively. Based on the results, there was a significant difference between coronary patients and non-coronary groups in both age categories (P < 0.001). Finally, the comparison of the mean lifestyle scores between the under 45-year-old and the 45-year-old and older groups showed that the two groups only had a significant difference in the subscale physical activity and exercise (P < 0.001) and dietary habits (P = 0.009).

In general, the risk factors for CAD in both age categories were similar except for lower physical activity and nutrition poorer in 45-year- old individuals. Accordingly, primary and secondary prevention, risk factor control, and promotion of a healthy lifestyle at family and society levels should start from childhood and adolescence