Title:
Lifestyle Risk Exposures, Cardiovascular Medication Use, and Documented Follow-up Indicators Among Libyan Adults Undergoing Coronary Assessment: A Multicentre Retrospective Study

Authors:
Yaseen Ahmad Muhammad Wafi*, Emad Mohamed Nafie Abdelwahab, Lubna Shirin, Mohammed Shahjahan Kabir, Malaysia

Abstract:

Background: Cardiovascular risk in patients referred for coronary assessment is shaped by the coexistence of cardiometabolic disease, behavioural exposures, medication use, and the availability of documented follow-up information. Integrated evidence from Libyan referral populations is limited.

Objective: To describe lifestyle and dietary risk exposures, cardiometabolic comorbidity, cardiovascular medication use, recorded cardiac interventions, and documented follow-up indicators among Libyan adults undergoing clinically indicated coronary assessment.

Methods: This secondary descriptive analysis used records from a multicentre retrospective cohort of 200 adults aged 26–85 years evaluated at Tripoli Medical Centre, Benghazi Medical Centre, and Tajoura Heart Centre during 2024–2025. Variables were abstracted using a structured instrument and summarised as means, frequencies, percentages, and Wilson 95% confidence intervals.

Results: Participants had a mean age of 56.4 ± 12.8 years; 84.5% were male and 89.0% were overweight or obese. Low vegetable intake was recorded in 80.0%, high red-meat intake in 86.0%, frequent trans-fat intake in 81.5%, low omega-3 intake in 84.0%, and sedentary behaviour in 78.5%. Current or former smoking was reported by 55.5%. Hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, and diabetes mellitus were present in 83.0%, 89.0%, and 43.0%, respectively. Statins were used by 90.5% and antiplatelet agents by 84.0%, whereas beta-blockers and other cardiovascular medicines were recorded in 39.0% and 46.0%. Subsequent cardiac interventions were recorded in 12.5%. ECG changes were present in 78.0%, while ejection fraction and inflammatory markers were documented in 48.5% and 57.0%, respectively.

Conclusion: This referral-based cohort showed marked clustering of documented modifiable lifestyle and cardiometabolic risks alongside frequent cardiovascular medication use. The findings support prospective evaluation of integrated lifestyle, medication, and follow-up pathways in Libyan cardiac referral settings. They should not be interpreted as population prevalence estimates, evidence of treatment appropriateness, or causal relationships.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.51505/ijmshr.2026.10412