Acute myocardial infarction in Kuwait: Current status and recommendations for prevention

ABSTRACT

This report presents the current situation of acute myocardial infarction [AMI] in Kuwait revealing the ongoing programmes, weaknesses of the present strategies and recommends measures for its prevention. Mortality due to AMI among the Kuwaiti population continues to remain high [37% out of total ischaemic heart disease mortality in 1994] and is the main cause of cardiovascular deaths [CVD] in Kuwait. Statistics for the years 1989,1992 and 1993 revealed CVD, neoplasms and traffic accidents to be the first three causes of death. The hospital discharge rate for AMI for the age group 20 years and above has increased among Kuwaitis, while a decrease was seen in non-Kuwaitis. By gender, approximately three times more male than female AMI discharges have been observed. Patients attending the Cardiology Department at the Chest Diseases Hospital also showed a significant linear trend towards an increase in the inpatients from 37.1% out of total in-patients in 1983 to 62.2% in 1994 [p<0.0001]. This report also focuses upon the extent of AMI risk factors in the population e.g. smoking, hypertension, diabetes, obesity and recommends emphasis upon studies to unreveal the role of any new existing AMI risk factors such as stress due to the Iraqi invasion. This information provides the fundamental basis to evolve strategic programmes for AMI risk-reduction, build a standardized information resource, and evolve a unified approach for disease management and prevention for the country as a whole