Association of smoking with blood lipids in coronary heart disease patients admitted in Taiping Hospital, Perak, Malaysia

Abstract

Introduction: Cigarette smoking is one of the predisposing factors for cardiovascular diseases as it may increase low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) levels and decrease high-density lipoproteins (HDLs). Objective: To measure the blood level of LDL and HDL and compare the result between smokers and nonsmokers who suffered from coronary heart diseases (CHDs). Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. The information was collected by using a checklist from the records of CHD patients, admitted to Taiping General Hospital, Perak, Malaysia. Data collected were interpreted to find any significant association between smoking, level of total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, and LDL. Results: Among the 196 patients included in this study, 85 were active smokers (43.4%), 54 ex-smokers (27.6%), and 57 nonsmokers (29%). Out of 171 patients with decreased level of HDL, 90.6% were smokers, 88.9% ex-smokers, and 80.7% of nonsmokers. It was found that significant changes occurred among the groups with decreased level of HDL (P < 0.05). Conclusion: HDL level is more reduced among the smokers compared to the ex-smokers and nonsmokers especially in the female.