Major Modifiable Risk Factors of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Patients Presented to Tertiary Care Hospital Swat, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in Pakistan. According to global health forecasts, it is expected to maintain its position as the primary cause of mortality worldwide in 2030. Myocardial infarction (MI) is the leading cause of illness and death on a global scale. Knowledge regarding any disease is an important pre-requisite for implementation of preventive and control measures.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate modifiable risk factors of cardiovascular diseases in acute myocardial infarction (MI) patients.

Methods: It was a hospital based cross sectional observational analytical study carried out in Cardiac Care Unit of Saidu Group of Teaching Hospitals, Swat, Pakistan. Data was collected from 236 patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction (MI). A standardized questionnaire was employed, evaluating the modifiable risk factors associated with heart disease, including topics such as the consumption of fatty foods, smoking, hypertension, physical activity level, diabetes etc.

Results: Among 236 patients (mean age 54.7 ± 9.3 years; 60% male) 79% had NSTEMI and 55% a positive family history. Hypertension (60%) and diabetes (47%) were common; both remained significantly associated with acute MI after correction (p < 0.001), whereas smoking and obesity showed border line significant association.

Conclusion: In our study, hypertension and diabetes emerged as the dominant, statistically significant risk factors of acute myocardial infarction, while NSTEMI predominated across all age and gender. The high prevalence of modifiable risk factor coupled with early disease onset highlight an urgent need for population-level prevention and rapid laboratory-enabled diagnosis.