Abstract
Background: Multiple risk factors are associated with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) but local data in young patients are limited. The present study explored risk factors of AMI in young patients. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study (n=224) was conducted on young adults with a recent first AMI and age-matched non-AMI controls. Demographic data, co-morbidities, lifestyle factors, family history, smoking history and anthropometric measures were recorded for each participant. Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HAM-A) was used to assess anxiety levels. Serum cardiac and liver enzymes were also measured. Results: AMI patients showed higher mean anxiety scores (25.16 vs. 13.27, p=0.000) and weekly cigarette consumption (4.32 vs. 0.21, p=0.000). 96.42% of AMI patients had moderate to severe anxiety. Other common risk factors included lack of regular exercise (82.14%), hypertension (HTN, 75%), unhealthy diet (66.08%), renal disease (60.71%), sedentary living (53.57%), diabetes mellitus (51.78%) and smoking (50%). Positive family histories of HTN, DM and AMI were observed in 96.42%, 94.64% and 57.14% of patients respectively. Conclusion: Anxiety is a major risk factor of AMI in young adults besides other conventional risk factors and controlling them may help lessen the burden of AMI.