Exploring the Factors Influencing Coronary Heart Disease Prevalence in the US Population: A Retrospective Observational Study

Introduction: Coronary heart disease (CHD) remains a significant global health concern and is characterized by inadequate blood supply to the myocardium due to the accumulation of plaque in the coronary arteries. Despite therapeutic advancements, prevalence disparities persist across various segments of the U.S. population, posing a significant challenge to healthcare systems. This study aims to find the prevalence disparities of CHD using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data.

Methodology: A retrospective observational study was done using the 2022 BRFSS dataset on January 17, 2024. The study examined the presence of CHD as the dependent variable and investigated various independent variables. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were conducted using the BRFSS Web Enabled Analysis Tool (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA). Data management and storage utilized Microsoft Excel, and graphical analysis employed GraphPad Prism, version 9.4.1 (GraphPad Software, Inc., San Diego, CA).

Results: In demographics, respondents aged 65+ had higher CHD odds, while females exhibited lower risk than males. Hispanics had the lowest odds of CHD among all races. Socioeconomically, inability to work and retirees had higher CHD odds, as did income below $20,000 but ≥$15,000. Poor physical health increased CHD odds, as did having multiple healthcare providers. Medicare users had the highest CHD odds among insurance options.

Conclusions: Significant disparities in CHD prevalence were seen across demographic, socioeconomic, health status, and healthcare access dimensions in the United States, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted interventions to address these disparities and improve overall public health outcomes.