High prevalence of lack of knowledge and unhealthy lifestyle practices regarding premature coronary artery disease and its risk factors among the Saudi population

OBJECTIVE: Literature regarding coronary artery disease (CAD) and awareness of its risk factors is available in Saudi Arabia (SA). However, it is lacking with respect to premature coronary artery disease (PCAD). Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the lack of knowledge of this underrepresented critical issue and to devise a well-constructed strategy for PCAD. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of PCAD and its risk factors in SA. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was performed in the Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University (KSU), Riyadh, SA between July 01, 2022, and October 25, 2022. A validated proforma was sent to the Saudi population. The sample size was 1046 participants. RESULTS: Proforma results indicated that 46.1% (n = 484) of participants believed that CAD could occur in people under the age of 45, whereas 18.6% (n = 196) did not believe, and 34.8% (n = 366) did not know. There was a highly statistically significant association present between sex and the belief that CAD can affect people who are under the age of 45 (p < 0.001), with 355 (73.3%) females believing that CAD can affect people below the age of 45 compared to 129 (26.7%) males. The results also showed a highly statistically significant relationship between educational status and the belief that CAD can affect people who are under the age of 45 (bachelor’s degree, 392 participants, representing 81.1%; p < 0.001). Furthermore, having employment was notably positively associated with that belief (p = 0.049) as was having a health specialty (p < 0.001). In addition, 62.3% (n = 655) of participants were not aware of their lipid profile, 49.1% (n = 516) preferred using vehicles to get to nearby places, 70.1% (n = 737) did not undergo regular medical checkups, 36.3% (n = 382) took medications without consultations, 55.9% (n = 588) did not exercise weekly, 69.5% (n = 112) were E-cigarette smokers, and 77.5% (n = 810) consumed fast food weekly. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals from SA have an evident lack of public knowledge and poor lifestyle practices regarding PCAD, which demonstrates the need for health authorities to take a more targeted and attentive approach toward PCAD awareness. In addition, extensive media involvement is required to highlight the severity of PCAD and its risk factors in the population.