Profile of young acute myocardial infarction in Harayana.

Profile of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in young patients (below 40 years) was studied in a rural/semi-urban population. Out of the total 338 patients who were admitted to ICCU over a period of one year, 65 (19.2%) were aged 40 years or below (Range 14-40 years). Male:female ratio was 20:1. Majority of these young patients were thinly built, engaged in heavy physical work and belonged to lower socio-economic group. Smoking was the most common risk factor (87%); other risk factors were few. Majority of these young patients ignored chest pain and reported late to the hospital. However, despite this, incidence of complications/mortality was less in comparison to their older counterparts. The overall mortality was only 6% as compared to 21% in older age group. The study focuses our attention to the rising incidence of AMI in young individuals even in populations least prone to ischaemic heart disease. Smoking was the only modifiable risk factor which needs to be curbed with full force.