Female specific cardiovascular risk modifiers associated with ischaemic heart disease in women: cross sectional analysis
S Kiani, A Kousar, Z Fatima, A Noor, A Fakhar, A Yousaf, S Alam, B Saqib, R Ulhaq, A Nadeem, A Shahid, M Fatima, S AhmedAbstract
Background/Introduction
Pregnancy complications and female-specific conditions are recognised cardiovascular risk modifiers, yet their link with ischaemic heart disease is unclear.
Purpose
To determine associations between female-specific cardiovascular risk modifiers and ischaemic heart disease.
Methods
This cross-sectional study included 1,000 women with cardiac symptoms. The diagnosis of Ischaemic heart disease (IHD) comprised acute coronary syndromes, myocardial infarction, angina, and coronary artery disease. Exposures were gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes mellitus, pre-eclampsia, pre-term delivery, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Associations were analysed and adjusted for age, hypertension, and diabetes. The study was approved by an ethics committee and conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.
Results
IHD occurred in 272 women (27.2%). Hypertension and diabetes were more common (p < 0.001). Adjusted odds ratios (OR) were 3.51 (95% CI 2.04–6.03) for gestational hypertension, 2.82 (1.62–4.89) for gestational diabetes, 5.22 (2.58–10.55) for pre-eclampsia, 1.98 (1.21–3.24) for pre-term delivery, and 2.52 (1.46–4.38) for polycystic ovary syndrome.
Conclusion(s)
Female-specific cardiovascular risk modifiers are independently associated with ischaemic heart disease in women. Recording pregnancy and hormonal history may improve early identification of women at high cardiovascular risk.Figure1_ForestPlot_AdjustedORsFigure2_ Comparison of IHD vs Non IHD_pv