Objective
Literature regarding coronary artery disease and awareness of its risk factors is available in Saudi Arabia. However, it is lacking with respect to premature coronary artery disease (PCAD). Therefore, it is of high value to evaluate the lack of knowledge of this underrepresented critical issue and to devise a well-constructed strategy for PCAD. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of PCAD and its risk factors in Saudi Arabia.
Methods
A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was performed in the Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between July 01, 2022, and October 25, 2022. A validated proforma was sent to the Saudi population. The sample size was 1046 participants.
Results
Showed that 46.1% (n = 484) of participants believe that coronary artery disease can occur in people who are under the age of 45, whereas 18.6% (n = 196) do not believe, and 34.8% (n = 366) do not know. There was a highly statistically significant association present between gender and the belief that coronary artery disease can affect people who are under the age of 45, with a p-value < 0.001, with 355 (73.3%) females believing that coronary artery disease can affect people below the age of 45, compared to 129 (26.7%) males. It also showed a highly statistically significant relationship between educational status and the belief that coronary artery disease can affect people who are under the age of 45 (bachelor's degree, 392 participants, representing 81.1% with a p-value of < 0.001). Furthermore, employed participants revealed a notable positive association, with a p-value of 0.049. In addition, health specialty participants appeared to have a positive association, with a p-value less than < 0.001. In addition, it showed that 62.3% (n = 655) are not aware of their lipid profile, 49.1% (n = 516) prefer using vehicles to get to nearby places, 70.1% (n = 737) do not undergo regular medical checkups, 36.3% (n = 382) take medications without consultations, 55.9% (n = 588) do not exercise weekly, E-cigarette smokers 69.5% (n = 112), and astonishingly 77.5% (n = 810) consume fast food weekly.
Conclusions
Saudi Arabia has an evident lack of public knowledge and poor lifestyle practices regarding premature coronary artery disease (PCAD), which demonstrates the need for health authorities to take a more targeted and attentive approach toward PCAD awareness. In addition, extensive media involvement is required to highlight the severity and the risk factors of PCAD to the population.