The association of metabolic risk factors with ischemic heart disease and heart failure in Saudi Arabia – A cross sectional study

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading non-communicable cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. This study aimed at determining the association of metabolic risk factors with ischemic heart disease (IHD) and heart failure (HF). METHODS: A cross-sectional study including 104 participants was conducted in three major hospitals between October 2020 and October 2021. All adult patients of either gender, over the age of 35, attending the CVD screening program at the family medicine clinics of the hospitals were included in the study. The physician collected demographic details, history of CVD, diabetes or hypertension, and current medication. Each patient’s body mass index (BMI) was calculated, electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood tests were done. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were checked. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 47.6 (SD = 13.5) years. Diabetes and hypertension had increased odds of IHD by 129 (CI = 6.20 – 2698.42, P = 0.002) and 195 (CI = 13.87 – 2743.11, P < 0.001) times, respectively. Diabetes mellitus (Chi(2) = 11.93, P < 0.001) and hypertension (Chi(2) = 14.74, P < 0.001) had significant association with HF. Dyslipidemia was significantly associated with IHD (OR = 12.41, CI = 1.15 – 134.12, P = 0.038) and high-grade HF (OR = 14.91 CI = 3.61 – 61.40, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Age, dyslipidemia, diabetes, hypertension, and left ventricular hypertrophy have significant association with IHD or HF among the study population.