Early myocardial infarction and its risk factors in patients admitted in Rasul-e-Akram Hospital, Tehran, Iran (1998-2007)

Introduction: Following urbanization of developing world and increase in prevalence of
risk factors for Ischemic Heart Diseases (IHD), the major global burden of IHD is in low
and middle income countries. This study was designed to determine trends in early MI
(Myocardial Infarction) during ten years and comparison of its risk factors with other
patients with MI.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we collected data about age, sex and history of
hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia and smoking of 1829 patients with first ST
Elevation MI (STEMI) admitted in Rasul-e-Akram Hospital from 1998 to 2007 for data
analysis, we used SPSS software.
Results: Of 1829 patients with first STEMI, 25.2% of them had early MI which
consisted of 84% men and 16% women (P<0.001). Trends in proportion of early MI had
no statistically significant change in men, women and totally in a period of 10 years.
Smoking was the most frequent risk factor (47.3%) with significantly higher proportions
in men than in women with or without early MI and its relative frequency in patients with
early MI was more than others (P<0.001). In women with early MI, smoking, diabetes
mellitus and hyperlipidemia were more prevalent than other women, however these
differences weren't statistically significant. Hypertension was more frequent in older
women (P<0.001).
Conclusion: In spite of stability in trend of early MI during the 10 years period, higher
frequency of smoking in patients, specially in men and younger patients showed the
necessity of comprehensive planning for primary prevention and control of smoking.