Fatal Coronary Heart Disease in urban women: an autopsy-based Study | ||||
Zagazig Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology | ||||
Article 1, Volume 23, Issue 1, January 2025, Page 1-7 PDF (649.52 K) | ||||
Document Type: Original Article | ||||
DOI: 10.21608/zjfm.2024.315596.1198 | ||||
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Authors | ||||
Nur Ilyani Nor Azmal1; Faridah Mohd Nor2; Mohamed Swarhib Shafee3; Nadiawati Abdul Rrazak ![]() ![]() | ||||
1Department of Forensic Medicine, Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Jalan Langat, 41200 Klang, Selangor Malaysia | ||||
22Forensic Unit, Department of Pathology, National University of Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | ||||
3Forensic Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Sultan Zainal Abidin University Medical Campus Jalan Sultan Mahmud 20400 Kuala Terengganu Terengganu Darul Iman. | ||||
4Forensic Medicine Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Defense Health, National Defense University of Malaysia, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. | ||||
Abstract | ||||
Background: Coronary heart disease (CHD) has remained the primary cause of mortality globally. Contrary to the long-held belief that CHD is primarily a male health concern, recent research has revealed that women are also at significant risk, especially following menopause when hormonal fluctuations can contribute to increased cardiovascular risk. Aim: The present study aimed to determine the demography of coronary heart disease (CHD) in women in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Method: This retrospective cross-sectional study involved 158 autopsy cases of women with CHD received at the Forensic Unit, National University of Malaysia, between the years 2000 and 2019. They were between 20 and 90 years old and analyzed in different age groups, including risk factors, clinical presentations, and types of coronary artery occlusions. Results: Coronary heart disease was found to be the highest between 50 and 59 years old (34%). Most women had several risk factors for CHD (80%), such as obesity (51%), hypertension (23%) and diabetes mellitus (19%). They were predominantly asymptomatic before death (56%). For those with symptoms, they were more chest-related (65%), with single-vessel occlusion being the commonest pattern (42%). This study concluded that fatal CHD cases in women in urban areas showed alarming issues. Despite the disease's risk factors, most of them were asymptomatic. Hence, the detection of CHD in women is warranted to provide careful planning of healthcare services for early screening and treatment purposes. | ||||
Keywords | ||||
autopsy; coronary heart disease; forensic science; obesity; urban women | ||||
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