Socioeconomic Status and Coronary Heart Disease-A Tertiary Center Study

The aim of the present study was to describe demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and their association to the diseases and to explore the predictive risk of CHD. Several studies in developing countries indicated that coronary risk factors may be related to SES and urbanisation [15, 16]. Amongst city dwellers in India, for instance, the prevalence of obesity, diabetes, hypertension and CHD have dramatically increased [17]. Furthermore, other studies in rural areas have indicated a lower prevalence of CHD compared to urban areas, however an increasing trend is seen among them as well [18]. Similar results have been reported from developed countries, where the lower SES groups suffer higher CHD and deaths due to non-communicable diseases [16]. These patterns may be related to enormous changes in dietary customs and living styles due to rapid industrialisation and urbanisation. In addition, increased awareness and education about risk factors in daily life activities may have been partly responsible for the decline in CHD prevalence among the higher social classes [19]. All these findings support the results of our study which revealed that most of patients were male, aged 51-60 yr or over, with a good percentage educated not beyond the primary/ secondary level and categorised in low/middle income level. To halt the disease process and its consequences for patient, his/her family and also to the wider community it is suggested to better understand the SES phenomena behind the CHD in local settings. Planning intervention programmes that are especially tailored for lower/middle social classes in developing countries may also have greater impact in prevention of CHD risks. Thus we need further information about the way people live and policy changes in our educational, economic and welfare programmes. This epidemic may be halted through the promotion of healthier lifestyles and the support of environmental and policy changes.