Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to characterize and identify the relationship of abdominal girth with blood pressure, blood sugar and lipid profile among cardiac patients. METHODS: A total of 100 patients with diagnosed cardiac problems were recruited from the outpatient clinic of a multi-speciality hospital. For data collection, a self-administered questionnaire was used to gather information about patients' demographics and socio-economic status. In addition, an assessment tool on the Physical and Laboratory Characteristics was employed. The data were analysed using t tests, Pearson correlations and chi squared tests. RESULTS: The findings of the study showed that there was a significant positive correlation of abdominal girth with blood pressure, blood sugar and lipid profile, as the R-values were reported to be 0.32, 0.28, 0.02, 0.32, 0.32, 0.28 and 0.18. There was no significant association of the selected demographic variables with abdominal girth, blood pressure, blood sugar or lipid profile among the selected cohort of patients. CONCLUSION: Lifestyle factors contribute significant risk in the development of abdominal obesity, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. This study recommends a careful monitoring of risk factors at an early age, which would go a long way towards reducing the burden of abdominal obesity and obesity related cardio metabolic risk.