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Background- Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of hospital deaths in Sri Lanka. The underlying risk factors include; tobacco smoking, unhealthy diet, harmful alcohol use, physical inactivity, and medical conditions; hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, dyslipidaemia. Objective of this study was to determine prevalence of CHD and risk factors among people aged 30-64 in Gampaha District, Sri Lanka. Methods- A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 1192 people aged 30-64 years in district of Gampaha, recruited by probability proportionate to the population size, cluster sampling. Data were collected using a pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire on prevalence of CHD, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia, obesity, harmful alcohol use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and tobacco smoking and anthropometric measurements by trained data collectors. Twelve-lead ECG, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose and lipid levels were done for previously undiagnosed. Data were analyzed using SPSS-21. Results- The estimated prevalence of CHD based on already diagnosed cases and Rose positive angina 6.9% (95% CI 5.4% – 8.4%), CHD based on already diagnosed cases and ECG 6.4 (95% CI 4.9% – 7.8%), hypertension 37.5% (95% CI 34.7% to 40.3%), diabetes mellitus 17.4% (95% CI 15.2% to 19.6%), dyslipidaemia 66.5% (95% CI 63.8% – 69.2%). The estimated prevalence of other modifiable risk factors of generalized obesity (BMI≥25.0) (44.0%, 95%CI41.1-46.9), sub-optimal quality diet (71.9%, 95%CI 69.3-74.5), low level of physical activity (21.7%, 95%CI 19.3-24.1), heavy or high-risk drinking 11.4% (95%CI 9.56-13.2), smoking 14.2% (95%CI 12.2-16.2). Conclusions- Estimated prevalence of CHD and selected risk factors were high in Gampaha District with a large proportion of previously undiagnosed disease. Immediate public health action is needed including training programs for healthcare workers on detection of risk factors and awareness among the public for screening for risk factors.

Sri Lanka has performed well in most areas of maternal and child health (MCH), which is evident from many excellent MCH related indices including low rates of maternal mortality, neonatal mortality, child mortality, vaccine preventable diseases and high level of skilled birth attendance, standing well ahead of countries with equal Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, a similar level of success has not been achieved in the area of nutrition, with high prevalence of malnutrition including micronutrient deficiencies among children and pregnant mothers that is stagnant over the last decade or so.