DETERMINATION AND ANALYSIS OF FREQUENCY OF MODIFIABLE RISK FACTORS AMONG PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION PRESENTING TO PESHAWAR INSTITUTE OF CARDIOLOGY

Background: Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with myocardial infarction (MI) contributing significantly to this burden. Modifiable risk factors such as smoking, hypertension, obesity, and dyslipidemia play a central role in the development and progression of MI. Understanding these risk factors is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies, particularly in high-risk populations. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of modifiable risk factors among patients presenting with MI and other cardiac conditions at the Peshawar Institute of Cardiology (PIC). Objective: To identify and quantify the modifiable risk factors among patients with myocardial infarction at PIC, Peshawar. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at PIC, including 323 patients diagnosed with MI or other cardiac conditions. Convenience sampling was employed. Inclusion criteria encompassed adults admitted with cardiac-related diagnoses, while unconscious patients, those with valvular heart disease, children, or individuals unable to communicate were excluded. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS version 23. Frequencies, percentages, and Chi-square tests were applied to assess associations (p<0.05). Results: Among the participants, 197 (61.0%) were male and 126 (39.0%) were female, with a mean age of 49.9 ± 13.3 years (range: 24–86). Smoking history was reported in 199 (61.6%), diabetes in 184 (57.0%), and hypertension in 199 (61.6%). Obesity was present in 138 (42.7%), and 155 (48.0%) had hyperlipidemia. Regular exercise was reported by only 131 (40.6%). High intake of fatty foods was noted in 181 (56.0%), while 178 (55.1%) consumed vegetables and 130 (40.2%) consumed fruits regularly. No statistically significant associations were found between individual risk factors and MI history (p>0.05), although trends were observed for obesity, inactivity, and fatty food intake. Conclusion: The study highlights a high prevalence of modifiable risk factors among MI patients, notably smoking, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and sedentary lifestyle. These findings underscore the urgent need for community-level health education and targeted intervention strategies to reduce the cardiovascular disease burden in this population.