Frequency of Risk Factors in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Introduction: Various risk factors contribute to the occurrence of acute myocardial infarction as the most serious type of ischemic heart disease and the leading cause of sudden death worldwide. Aim of the Study: The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of changeable and unchangeable risk factors in patients with acute myocardial infarction in the Republic of Srpska. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study included patients treated for acute myocardial infarction at the University Clinical Center of Banja Luka, in the period from January 1st to December 31st, 2011. The patients were from the municipalities of Banja Luka and Laktaši. We analyzed the following risk factors: hypertension, total cholesterol values, diabetes, increased body weight and obesity, smoking, family history and physical inactivity. Results: Out of 273 patients, the majority were male (64%), and there was a statistically significant difference between age and sex (p <0.01) of the respondents. The most common risk factor for both genders was hypertension (70.1%), while the least frequent risk factor was diabetes mellitus (25.6%). Smokers and ex-smokers accounted for 58.1%, with a statistical significance between men and women (p <0.01). The average BMI in both genders was in the overweight category (27.69 kg / m2). A positive family history was found in almost half of the respondents (49.4%), with a statistically significant difference between age groups and family history (p = 0.036). Conclusion: Acute myocardial infarction mainly affects men in their sixties, while women are averagely affected nine years later than men. The number one risk factor for both genders is hypertension. Given the large impact of risk factors on the occurrence of acute myocardial infarction, priority must be given to the prevention and control of the aforementioned, especially in the primary health care.