Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, despite the availability of effective and safe medications and a well-established understanding of modifiable risk factors. Two of the most well-known risk factors-LDL cholesterol and blood pressure-can be controlled through both medication and lifestyle changes. Elevated levels of either are typically identified and managed within healthcare settings. However, access to and engagement with healthcare services varies by socioeconomic status (SES), potentially influencing the quality and consistency of care received by those at risk. Existing research suggests that individuals with lower SES often receive less effective treatment and experience worse health outcomes. Furthermore, lower SES is associated with reduced adherence to recommended lifestyle changes following a diagnosis.
This project aims to examine how genetic risk for CHD correlates with the receipt of key preventive treatments-such as blood pressure and LDL-lowering medication-across different socioeconomic groups, as well as the subsequent adherence to treatment and lifestyle modifications.