ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: As recurrent myocardial infarctions (MIRs) constitute almost a third of the annual incidence of myocardial infarction, identifying the traditional and novel variables related to MIR is important. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine modifiable cardiac risks, adiposity, symptoms associated with inflammation (fatigue, depression, sleep) and inflammatory cytokines, and MIR by sex and race. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional descriptive design, we recruited a convenience sample of adults (N = 156) discharged with first myocardial infarction or had MIR in the last 3 to 7 years. Surveys measured demographics, cardiac risk factors, depression, sleep, and fatigue. Anthropometric measures and cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were obtained. A maximum likelihood regression was calculated to predict MIR. RESULTS: The sample included 57% male and 30% Black participants, and the mean (SD) age was 65 (12) years. The hsCRP was the only cytokine related to symptoms: fatigue ( r = 0.309, P < .001) and depression ( r = 0.255, P = .002). An MIR was not associated with race despite White participants reporting better sleep ( t146 = -3.25, P = .002), lower body mass index ( t154 = -3.49, P = .001), and fewer modifiable risk factors ( t152 = -2.05, P = .04). An MIR was associated with being male, higher hsCRP and tumor necrosis factor-α levels ( P < .001), and higher inflammatory symptoms of fatigue ( P = .04), depression ( P = .01), and poor sleep ( P < .001). CONCLUSION: Further examination of biomarkers to understand the mechanisms associated with inflammatory symptoms of fatigue, depression, and poor sleep and MIR is needed.