Study of risk factors associated with acute myocardial infarction: An observational study

ABSTRACT

Background: Cardiovascular disease has emerged as a major health burden in the developing countries. There are significant differences in the prevalence of coronary artery disease exist with respect to gender, age, and ethnicity. Aims and Objectives: This study was planned with an objective to study risk factors associated with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Material and Methods: The descriptive present study was carried out at tertiary care hospital, intensive care unit and medicine wards, and cardiology department of tertiary care hospital. A total of 300 cases of acute coronary syndrome were included in the present study. Results: Seventy-four (52.85%) females and 56 (35%) males had hypercholesteremia. The difference was observed to be statistically significant (P = 0.0223). The decreased levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, that is, ?40 mg % were present in 52 (37.14%) females and 32 (20%) males and this difference was statistically significant (P = 0.0197). Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels of ?160 mg % were present in more number of females {n = 88 (62.85%)} than males {n = 40 (25%)}. This difference was found to be statistically significant (P = 0.0001). Hypertriglyceridemia was present in 66 (47.14%) females and 44 (27.5%) males. This difference was statistically significant (P = 0.0128). Hence, the lipid profile abnormalities, namely, hypercholesteremia, hypertriglyceridemia, high LDL, and low HDL were significantly present in more numbers of females than in males. Conclusion: Risk factors for AMI such as hypertension, diabetes, family history of premature CAD, obesity, and sedentary lifestyle are more common in females than males. Smoking was risk factor in males only. Hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and low LDL cholesterol are important risk factors for acute coronary syndrome in females than males.