Potential Gains of Screening Family Members of Suspected Coronary Artery Disease: A Pilot Study

BACKGROUND: Early diagnosis of asymptomatic coronary artery disease (CAD) is presently targeted in preventive cardiology. A positive family history though not modifiable can provide a window of opportunity for intervening on modifiable risk factors. We assessed the prevalence of risk factors among the family members of suspected CAD patients and estimated their 10 years CAD risk. METHODS: In a hospital-based cross-sectional study, socio-demographic, personal data and blood samples for total and HDL cholesterol were collected. The risk of having a heart attack in the next 10 years was calculated using Framingham Risk Score. RESULTS: The mean age of participants (n = 60) was 40.55 ± 1.78 years. 85% were physically inactive. Smoking (13%), alcohol use (12%), history of CAD (2%), HTN (12%) and diabetes (22%) were the observed risk factors. A family history of CAD at <40 years of age was reported by 7% of subjects. Prevalence of overweight was 21% and 11% were obese. Increased waist-hip ratio (43%), diabetes (22%), hypercholesterolemia (28%), reduced HDL Cholesterol (48%) were other prevalent risk factors. Risk of CAD of >1% in the next 10 years was noted among 60% of subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Window of opportunity for secondary prevention exists among the family members of suspected CAD.