Study of post-prandial hypertriglyceridemia as an independent risk factor for ischemic heart disease in Government Dharmapuri Medical College, Dharmapuri

Introduction: Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in Western countries and it is now an increasing problem in developing countries too, due to changes in life style and dietary habits. Heart Disease is responsible for more deaths and disability among Western Population, both male and female, than any other killer disease, and it is quickly establishing itself as the leading cause of death and disability among Indians as well. Aim of the Study: To study relation between risk factors for atherosclerosis and fasting and postprandial triglyceride levels in patients of Coronary artery disease. To establish that post-prandial triglycerides level is a better indicator as a ‘risk factor' for atherosclerosis. Materials and methods: A complete physical and cardiovascular system examination performed. Blood pressure measurements were performed with mercury sphygmomanometer in a standardized fashion. Waist circumference was measured at umbilical level. Hip circumference was measured at maximum girth at hip. Recording of ECG was done with 12 leads recording in standard fashion with B.P.L machine. Fasting samples of blood glucose, Fasting Lipid profile was measured. Results: In our study, out of 56 male 34 (62.5%) were suffering from diabetes mellitus while 30 female out of 44 were (68.18%) diabetic. So out of 100 patients 64 patients were suffering from diabetes. In our study, 57 patients were hypertensive. 32 male patients out of 56 male patients were hypertensive (57.14%) and 25 female patients out of 44 patients (56.81%) were hypertensive. In the present study, postprandial hypertriglyceridemia was found in 16 patients out of 23 patients (69.5%) in the age group 35-45, 31 patients out of 46 patients (67.39%) in the age group 46-55, 9 out of 21 patients (42.8%) in the age group 56,-65, and 8 patients out of 10 (80%) in the age > 66 years. Conclusion: In our study with reference to patient of ischemic heart disease, postprandial Hypertriglyceridemia was found in 64% patients, having normal fasting triglyceride level. There is statistically a significant correlation between postprandial triglyceride and ischemic heart disease, even in patients having normal fasting triglyceride level. It means that patients having high postprandial triglyceride levels have higher risk of Ischemic heart disease. The relative risk is 1.44.