
Differences In Risk Factors And Mortality, In Young And Old Individuals With Acute Myocardial Infarction In Goa
715-719
Correspondence
Dr. Amit Dang, Room no. 8, ground floor, Residents hostel (G.A.R.D), Goa medical college Bambolim, Goa-403202 , Mobile no. 09764001983 E-mail address: dramit_gmc@rediffmail.com
Background: Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is a major cause of mortality and is a global health problem.
Aims: There could be a difference in the risk factors in the young and the old individuals with Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI), and the information about these may have an influence on the strategies for preventive cardiology. In this study, we tried to investigate the same.
Settings and design: Retrospective record based study done in a government medical college.
Methods and materials: Records of patients with AMI admitted from January 1 to December 31, 2005 were investigated retrospectively. A total of 355 patients admitted to the Department of Medicine with AMI, were analysed. Characteristics of the patients who were ≤ 45 years of age and were considered young were compared with those above 45 years.
Statistical analysis used: SPSS software.
Results: 22.25% (79) of those admitted with AMI were ≤ of 45 years. 11.39% (9) of the AMI in young individuals, occurred in females, compared to 27.69% (77) in the old AMI patients. 21.51% (17) of the young AMIs presented with cardiac failure (CF) compared to 41.30% (114) in the older age group. Risk factors like alcohol and smoking were more commonly found in the young AMIs, whereas diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HT) and past history of Ischaemic Heart Disease (IHD) and AMI were higher in the older patients. 10.12% (8) of the young AMIs died, as compared to 27.53% (76) in the older population.
Conclusions: Preventive measures for AMIs in the younger age group should involve measures to prevent smoking and alcohol consumption. Preventive measures in the elderly patients should emphasise on control of DM and HT.