Cardiac risk factor management in the offspring of patients with premature ischemic heart disease.

Abstract

Objective. To determine the prevalence of cardiac risk factors in offspring of patients with premature ischemic heart disease, their awareness of these risk factors, and to find out what proportion of offspring have had risk factor assessment including cholesterol screening and what proportion have adopted risk factor reducing strategies. Main results. The median age of the offspring was 20 years (range 2-39). Among the late adolescent and young adult progeny 37% were smokers, 31% were overweight and 30% exercised less than three times per week. Although 78% had been examined by a physician in the preceding three years, only 97 (44%) reported having had a blood cholesterol measurement performed during that time and only five of the 97 actually knew their cholesterol levels. Fifty-seven percent of the males had had a blood pressure measurement in the previous year. Although all respondents were aware that eating fatty food could contribute to heart disease and cholesterol elevation, few (13%) recognized the role of heredity as a causal factor for heart disease and only 22% reported that they would know how to lower their blood cholesterol. Conclusions. The low rates of cardiovascular risk factor assessment and management identified in this survey represent missed opportunities for primary prevention. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)