Aetiology and risk factors in young patients with recent acute myocardial infarction
Kennelly, B.M.
South African Medical Journal 61(14): 503-507
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0256-9574 PMID: 7038923 Document Number: 194137
Young patients (145) (aged 18-40 yr) with acute myocardial infarction are reported. In 14 of these infarction was due to unusual causes of which infective endocarditis was the most common. One hundred of the patients underwent review of risk factors 2-4 mo. after infarction: 29% had a previous history of angina, 11% were hypertensive, 85% were smokers during the year before infarction and 5% were ex-smokers, while 31% had a family history of ischemic heart disease among 1st-degree relatives and 27% were obese. Seventy-two per cent had serum cholesterol values of > 5.7 mmol/l, 63% had fasting serum triglyceride values of > 1.7 mmol/l and 29% were hyperuricemic. Only 2% had none of the following major risk factors: serum cholesterol > 6.5 mmol/l, serum triglycerides > 1.7 mmol/l, a history of cigarette smoking, a history of hypertension or blood pressure > 160/95 mm Hg. There should be a high index of suspicion for unusual causes of acute myocardial infarction in patients in this age group; one or more of the major risk factors are an almost invariable finding in patients with infarction of atheromatous origin.