Prevalence and Related Risk Factors Associated with Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) Among Middle Aged and Elderly Patients with Vision Impairment (VI)

Purpose To investigate the prevalence and related risk factors associated with coronary heart disease (CHD) among middle-aged and elderly patients with vision impairment (VI). Patients and Methods The study was conducted with 1355 visually impaired adults over 45 years old, recruited from a Rehabilitation Hospital in China. Visual impairment is diagnosed by a doctor according to guidelines. Data were analyzed using multiple correspondence and logistic regression analysis. This research represents an important step towards the development of empirically based practical suggestions for decision-makers and health professionals that support visually impaired middle-aged and elderly people to participate in physical exercise and weight management when needed. Results Of the 1335 middle-aged and elderly adults (mean age ± SD, 63.56 ± 7.74 years; 45.6% male) with VI, a total of 154 (11.5%) developed CHD. In all people with VI, age (OR 1.47; 95% CI 1.16-2.02), hypertension (OR 2.14; 95% CI 1.46-3.14), diabetes (OR 3.79; 95% CI 2.29-6.27), blindness (OR 1.68; 95% CI 1.16-2.43), moderate activity (OR 0.86; 95% CI 0.69-0.98), and HR <60 beats/min (OR 1.43; 95% CI 1.08-2.48) are significantly related to CHD. Statistical analysis based on age grouping indicated that fasting plasma glucose, hypertension, diabetes, blindness, heart rate (<60 beats/min), and moderate activity were shown to have a strong association with development of CHD in age group <65 years (p < 0.05). Conclusion Compared with historical data, poorer vision degree, resting heart rate below 60 beats a minute and low physical activity level are emerging as new and increasing threats to CHD in middle-aged and elderly VI population. Interventions to enhance physical functioning and risk screening may be effective in the prevention of CHD in VI population.