Dietary supplementation and engaging in physical activity as predictors of coronary artery disease among middle-aged women

Aim and objectives: To explore risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) among middle-aged women in Taiwan.

Background: Coronary artery disease is a leading cause of death among females. Risk factors for CAD vary due to differences in ethnicity, gender and age. However, few studies have documented risk factors among middle-aged women.

Design: We employed a cross-sectional, comparative study design.

Methods: Sixty-five middle-aged women who were suspected of having CAD and who received cardiac catheterisation were purposively sampled and divided into a CAD group (with at least one coronary artery with > 50% stenosis) and a control group, according to the results of catheterisation. Individual questionnaires regarding their medical history, blood test results, sociodemographic characteristics, metabolism, biomarkers and lifestyle risk factors were administered and quantified.

Results: The mean age of the 65 women (31 CAD and 34 controls) was 56·2 years. Within the CAD group, there was a greater incidence of women with a history of diabetes mellitus (DM), increased fasting blood glucose and increased diastolic blood pressure. Comparatively fewer women within the CAD category used dietary supplements or had a lower level of physical activity. After adjusting for other confounders, it was discovered that women who used dietary supplements (OR = 0·28; p = 0·04) and engaged in physical activities (OR = 0·16; p = 0·02) were less likely to develop CAD.

Conclusions: Use of dietary supplements and engaging in physical activities can significantly predict the incidence of CAD among middle-aged women in Taiwan.

Relevance to clinical practice: Middle-aged women should be encouraged to take appropriate dietary supplements and engage in physical activity in order to prevent CAD.