Objective: Despite being a rising public health problem, the burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) at population level have not been studied in Nepal. The paper aims to bridge the gap and study the prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and associated risk factors in adult males of urban Nepal.
Methods: A population-based analytical cross-sectional study was carried out in the Dharan municipality of Nepal with one thousand males aged > or = 35 years selected by systematic random sampling of the households. Data collection included WHO Rose angina questionnaire and electrocardiograms in all who had positive Rose Questionnaire. Those with documented CHD, positive Rose Questionnaire and positive electrocardiographic changes according to the Minnesota codes were labelled as having CHD.
Findings: The prevalence of CHD in the study population was 5.7% (95% confidence interval: 4.26 - 7.13). The significant associated risk factors included tobacco use, history of hypertension, family history and age.
Conclusion: This is the first population-based prevalence study of coronary heart disease in Nepal. The burden of CHD in the study population is comparable to the findings from urban studies of North India. Nepal urgently requires public health policies and programmes to address CVDs including CHD.