Publication:

Prevalence and determinants of cardiovascular disease in a rural area of Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu: a cross sectional study

Background Cardio vascular disease (CVD) is the number 1 cause of death globally and an estimated 17.7 million people died from CVD in 2015, representing 31% of all global deaths. In India CVD accounts for 25% of all deaths. The objectives of the study was to estimate the prevalence of CVD among the study population and to determine the association between CVD and various risk factors.

Methods This is a cross sectional study carried out in the rural field practice area attached to SBMCH. The study group were 400 adults (20-60 years). The data was collected using a structured questionnaire containing socio-demographic particulars, details regarding CVD risk factors and physical measurements. Data was entered in MS Excel and analysed using SPSS 15 software.

Results Prevalence of CVD is 24.3% and of which hypertension (18%), coronary artery disease (6%), stroke (2.2%) and valvular heart disease (1%). The prevalence of risk factors are age >40 (63%), tobacco use (17.8%), alcohol use (22.3%), physical inactivity (52%), unhealthy diet (61.4%), obesity (19.7%), diabetes (13.6%) and positive family history (21.4%). There is a strong statistically significant association between CVD and age (p=0.008, OR-1.968), tobacco use (p<0.0001, OR-10.029), obesity (p<0.0001, OR-13.462) and positive family history (p<0.0001, OR-13.964).

Conclusions In this study prevalence of CVD is high. It is necessary to minimize the burden of growing CVD by controlling the rates of the risky behaviours by lifestyle modification and by increasing awareness regarding CVD.