Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) mostly occurs in persons older than 45 years of age. In India, CAD manifests almost a decade earlier than in Western countries. This study was done to study the risk factors and in some patients angiographic profile of young patients presenting with myocardial infarction (MI).

Patients and Methods: Three hundred and fifty one consecutive patients presenting with MI in less than and equal to 45 years of age were studied for risk factors. Coronary angiography was done in some patients.

Results: Out of 351 patients, 321 were male (91.45%). Most common age group was 36-45 yrs (68.66%), 322 had ST elevation myocardial infarction (MI) (91.74%) and 29 had non ST elevation MI (8.26%). Anterior wall MI was present in 234 patients (66.67%), inferior wall MI in 84 patients (23.93%) and lateral wall MI in 04 patients (1.14%), 162 patients (46.15%) were smoker. Dyslipidemia was present in 120 patients (34.19%), 50 patients were hypertensive (14.25%), 36 patients were diabetic (10.25%). Family history of CAD was present in 35 (9.97%) patients, 32 patients (9.12%) were obese or overweight and 16 patients (4.56) had history of illicit drug use.

Conclusion: MI in young almost exclusively occurs in male, and ST elevation MI is the main presentation. Anterior wall MI is most common. Smoking, low HDL, high triglycerides and hypertension are the major risk factors. Diabetes mellitus type 2, positive family history, obesity and illicit drug use are the other risk factors.

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Dr Pankaj Kumar Jain

Senior Resident, Department of Medicine,

G.R. Medical College, Gwalior (M.P.)