Coronary Risk Factors in Angiographically Defined Patients with Chest Pain

Abstract

Coronary risk factors were assessed in 186 consecutive patients who received coronary angiography. The severity of coronary luminal narrowing was scored as the coronary sclerosis index (CSI). Patients were divided into normal coronary arteries (Ν, n = 72), coronary sclerosis without infarction (C, n = 73) and previous myocardial infarction (MI, n = 41). The CSI increased with age. A significant difference in serum triglycerides, HDL cholesterol and atherogenic index was observed between Groups C or MI and N. Multivariate analysis revealed that CSI had correlated with total- and HDL-cholesterol, uric acid and age in subjects under 55 years; and with age, blood sugar, factor Η and HDL cholesterol in those of 55 years or over. When patients were classified by their total and LDL cholesterol level, a significantly different CSI was found between the desirable and high cholesterol levels in subjects under the age of 55, but it was not significant in those over 55. Therefore, disorders in lipid metabolism should be corrected in early middle age. © 1990, The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine. All rights reserved.