Risk Factor of Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction among Young Patients in Erbil/Iraq

Abstract

Background: The leading cause of mortality worldwide is coronary artery disease. It is a significant health and economical problem in the modern world. Despite the fact that myocardial infarction is relatively uncommon in individuals younger than 40 years of age (2%), they’re not entirely immune to it. Approximately two-thirds of patients with myocardial infarction have non-ST-segment elevation. Ischemic heart disease development and incidence are significantly influenced by individual and combined risk factors.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors of young age patients diagnosed with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction in Erbil province, Iraq.

Patients and Methods: This was a Cross sectional study. Convenience sampling method was used to recruit young patients, ages between (15–47 years of age) diagnosed with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction. The prevalence rates of the major risk factors (hypertension, smoking, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and a positive family history of MI) were calculated for the entire sample with regard to gender. Chi-square test was used for comparison and odds ratio was calculated for each risk factor with regard to gender.

Results: The most common risk factor was smoking comprising 49.2% of patients. The second most common risk factor among our study population was hypertension accounting for 43.3% of cases. This was followed by family history of ischemic heart disease 36.7%, dyslipidemia 31.7%, diabetes mellitus 29.2%, and lastly past medical history of ischemic heart disease which was found in 19.2% of our cases.

Conclusion: Young patients who participated in this study had a high prevalence of modifiable atherosclerotic risk factors. It is quite likely that preventative actions will be successful. With the aid of these data, high-risk groups can plan the necessary preventative measures to lessen the impact of ischemic heart disease