Prevalence of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors remain high after coronary bypass graft surgery: a multicentre study among Turkish patients.

Background: The measures of secondary prevention in patients undergoing coronary bypass graft surgery (CABG) remains largely undetermined in Turkey.

Design: We designed a multicentre cross-sectional study to estimate the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in patients after CABG and to evaluate the association of demographic-socio-economic factors with secondary prevention in these patients.

Methods: A total of 622 patients who underwent CABG between 1 January 1999 and 15 January 2000 at four centres in Adana, Turkey; 273 (ages 35-77, 208 men) were interviewed and examined 1.0-2.2 years after the procedure.

Results: Of 273 patients interviewed, 81.5% were overweight, 65.5% had unhealthy food choices for a lipid-lowering diet, 56.0% were physically inactive, 28.8% were obese and 17.6% were current smokers. Hypercholesterolaemia, elevated blood pressure and fasting blood glucose were found in 65.6, 34.1 and 19.8%, respectively. Of diabetic patients, 63.8% had elevated fasting blood glucose. The use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, beta-blockers and statins was low. Women had a higher rate of obesity and physical inactivity; smoking was less prevalent in females. More women were taking antihypertensive and lipid-lowering drugs than men. Logistic regression analysis revealed an association between hypercholesterolaemia and low educational level.

Conclusion: Turkish patients have a high prevalence of modifiable risk factors related to unhealthy lifestyle and ineffective prophylactic drug use 1 year or more after CABG. Low educational level has a significant influence in this situation.