The Role of Oxidative Damage in the Progression of Coronary Heart Disease: A Study of Biochemical Markers in Patients from Kirkuk City

Cardiovascular diseases, particularly coronary heart disease (CHD), are among the most prevalent conditions associated with atherosclerosis, primarily affecting adults aged 40 years and older. Oxidative damage plays a crucial role in various pathological conditions, with reactive oxygen species (ROS) contributing significantly to CHD progression. This study included 60 CHD patients (30 males and 30 females) aged 40–69 years, all of whom were non-smokers, non-alcoholics, and free from comorbidities such as hypertension or diabetes. A control group of 30 healthy individuals (15 males and 15 females) aged 40–67 years was also included. Blood samples were collected from hospitals in Kirkuk for biochemical analysis. Cardiovascular diseases, particularly coronary heart disease (CHD), are among the most prevalent conditions associated with atherosclerosis, primarily affecting adults aged 40 years and older. Oxidative damage plays a crucial role in various pathological conditions, with reactive oxygen species (ROS) contributing significantly to CHD progression. This study included 60 CHD patients (30 males and 30 females) aged 40–69 years, all of whom were non-smokers, non-alcoholics, and free from comorbidities such as hypertension or diabetes. A control group of 30 healthy individuals (15 males and 15 females) aged 40–67 years was also included. Blood samples were collected from hospitals in Kirkuk for biochemical analysis. The findings revealed a significant decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), superoxide dismutase (SOD), vitamin E (VE), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in CHD patients compared to the control group. The measured values were 29.128 ± 2.001 mg/dL (HDL), 40.038 ± 7.245 U/mL (SOD), 26.136 ± 6.376 µmol/L (VE), 216.19 ± 34.85 μmol/L (TAC), whereas the control group exhibited 56.267 ± 8.890 mg/dL, 72.191 ± 2.729 U/mL, 39.251 ± 7.839 umol/L, and 422.66 ± 69.11mg/mL, respectively. Additionally, gender showed a statistically significant effect (P ≤ 0.05) on CHD risk, with differences observed between male and female patients compared to the healthy group. Age also played a critical role, with significant variations (P ≤ 0.05) across age groups, indicating an increased CHD risk with advancing age. Furthermore, body mass index (BMI) showed significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) when comparing all biochemical variables between patients and the control group. The study highlights the significant role of oxidative stress and antioxidant depletion in CHD patients, with age, gender, and BMI contributing to disease progression. These findings emphasize the importance of early intervention strategies to manage oxidative stress and reduce CHD risk. The results revealed a significant decrease in antioxidants (SOD, vitamin E, TAC) and HDL levels in CAD patients compared to controls, confirming oxidative stress's role in disease progression. Age, gender, and BMI were linked to higher risk. These findings highlight the importance of early detection and risk factor management in heart disease prevention.