Metabolic Syndrome in Patients with Ischemic Heart Disease

Objective: To determine the frequency of metabolic syndrome in patients with Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD). Study Design: Cross-sectional, descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: Cardiology Department of Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore, from June 2006 to June 2007. Methodology: A total of 100 subjects with ischemic heart disease, fulfilling the inclusion criteria, were enrolled in the study. Demographic data (age and gender) and the 5 component conditions of the metabolic syndrome were noted. Subjects were physically assessed for the abdominal obesity, based on waist circumference. Fasting blood samples for glucose and lipid profile in first 24 hours after acute coronary insult were drawn and tested in central laboratory. Variables were processed for descriptive statistics. Results: In this study population, 68% were male and 32% were female with mean age of 52 +/- 13.6 years in men and 56 +/- 12.5 years in women. Frequency of metabolic syndrome was 32% in men and 28% in women. It increased with age. The highest rate of metabolic syndrome was in men diagnosed as STEMI (odds ratio: 3.39, 95% CI=1.36-8.41). Conclusion: Frequency of metabolic syndrome was high among the patients with IHD. It supports the potential for preventive efforts in persons with high-risk of IHD.