Cardiac problems are the emerging public health issue around the world. It has been estimated in 2007 that 16.7 million people around the world die of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) each year. This is over 29 % of all death globally. The causes of CVD are highly modifiable and nurses could play an active role in controlling these factors. Therefore, a study was conducted to know the factors associated with CVD leading to death and to explore the role of a nurse.

Purpose

To identify the factors affecting the cardiac health of adults in Karachi, Pakistan

Design

Descriptive cross sectional study design was used to fulfill the objective of the study

Method

By using purposive sampling the data was collected from three colonies of garden area in Karachi. Hundred participants were recruited on the basis of inclusion criteria that is only those participants are included who consented and has minimum 30 years of age. Data was collected by the trained final year nursing students, using pre tested validated questionnaire followed by verbal and written consent. Data was entered and analyzed by using SPSS version 15.0.

Result

Analyses of data showed that 55% population had family history of cardiac diseases. In factors identification our study showed that fatty diet, inactive lifestyle and lack of knowledge are the prominent risk factors among population. It is evident by the fact that only 7% population has active lifestyle, 39% have knowledge about CVD and 66% population is using high fat diet.

Conclusion

This study showed the people at garden community have highly modifiable risk factors that are diet, inactive lifestyle and lack of knowledge .Which need to be taken care by nurses at field level. This study recommends the interventional study design to lower the modifiable risk factors leading to death in Pakistan.