Prevalence and Related Risk Factors Associated with Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) Among Middle-Aged and Elderly Patients with Vision Impairment (VI)

PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence and related risk factors associated with coronary heart disease (CHD) among middle-aged and elderly patients with vision impairment (VI). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was conducted with 1355 visually impaired adults over 45 years old, recruited from a Rehabilitation Hospital in China. Visual impairment is diagnosed by a doctor according to guidelines. Data were analyzed using multiple correspondence and logistic regression analysis. This research represents an important step towards the development of empirically based practical suggestions for decision-makers and health professionals that support visually impaired middle-aged and elderly people to participate in physical exercise and weight management when needed. RESULTS: Of the 1335 middle-aged and elderly adults (mean age ± SD, 63.56 ± 7.74 years; 45.6% male) with VI, a total of 154 (11.5%) developed CHD. In all people with VI, age (OR 1.47; 95% CI 1.16–2.02), hypertension (OR 2.14; 95% CI 1.46–3.14), diabetes (OR 3.79; 95% CI 2.29–6.27), blindness (OR 1.68; 95% CI 1.16–2.43), moderate activity (OR 0.86; 95% CI 0.69–0.98), and HR <60 beats/min (OR 1.43; 95% CI 1.08–2.48) are significantly related to CHD. Statistical analysis based on age grouping indicated that fasting plasma glucose, hypertension, diabetes, blindness, heart rate (<60 beats/min), and moderate activity were shown to have a strong association with development of CHD in age group <65 years (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared with historical data, poorer vision degree, resting heart rate below 60 beats a minute and low physical activity level are emerging as new and increasing threats to CHD in middle-aged and elderly VI population. Interventions to enhance physical functioning and risk screening may be effective in the prevention of CHD in VI population.