Myocardial Infarction in young Patients

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease (CAD) has a predilection for older age. However, both in developed and developing countries, an epidemiological shifts for CAD is observed and now it is more frequently seen in young adult population, but there is paucity of data regarding emerging clinical picture. Therefore, the present study was designed to determine the percentage of patients at 45 years of age and below afflicted with myocardial infarction. The study was also aimed to determine the sex distribution, associated risk factors and clinical features in young patients. METHODS: This descriptive study conducted through convenient sampling technique at Coronary Care Unit of Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad and on all patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction during the period of one year to determine the frequency of acute myocardial infarction among younger patients aged=45 years, and its associated risk factors. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of acute myocardial infarction among young adults was 46.80%. The mean age of study subjects was 37.63 +/- 6.26 years; male outnumbered (80.7%, n=71) female(19.3%, n=17). Most of the patients belongs to age group between 41 - 45 years (40.9%, n=36) and the most common underlying condition that may linked to myocardial infarction was cigarette smoking (65.9%, n=58). Out of total 88 patients the mortality rate was (12.5%, n=11) and ventricular arrhythmias were the most common (6.8%, n=6) complication. CONCLUSION: The acute myocardial infarction is not uncommon in younger aged male smokers.