Risk Factors for myocardial infarction under forty years of age in mid Delta region

ABSTRACT

The risk factors of 38 myocardial infarction patients under 40 years of age were compared to 147 patients older in age Seven risk factors were investigated family history of coronary heart disease, hyperlipidemia, smoking, obesity, physical stress, hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Positive family history of ischemic disease and hyperlipidemia ranked first [71.05% each] in the age group less than 40 years followed by smoking [65.79%] then by obesity [55.26%]. In the older age group, smoking ranked first [73.47%] followed by hypertension [47.62%] then by positive family history [34.69%]. Hyperlipidemia, smoking, obesity. Hypertension and diabetes are to be regarded as independent risk factors for coronary disease. A positive family history of coronary disease is an additive factor in patients with these other risk factors present. The present data indicates no clear role for physical stress by itself. In combination with other risk factors, it increases coronary risk. The majority of younger patients [86.84%] were professionals compared to [43.54%] in the older ones. Regarding the post-myocardial infarction complications, death is lower in young infarct patients. Angina pectoris is more in the younger patients. Ventricular fibrillation is nearly equal in both age groups. In addition, congestive heart failure is more in the younger than in the older ones