Family history of myocardial infarction is an independent risk factor for venous thromboembolism: the Tromsø study.
BACKGROUND
Recent studies indicate that arterial cardiovascular diseases and venous thromboembolism (VTE) share common risk factors. A family history of myocardial infarction (MI) is a strong and independent risk factor for future MI.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the present study was to determine the impact of cardiovascular risk factors, including family history of MI, on the incidence of VTE in a prospective, population-based study.


METHODS
Traditional cardiovascular risk factors and family history of MI were registered in 21,330 subjects, aged 25-96 years, enrolled in the Tromsø study in 1994-95. First-lifetime VTE events during follow-up were registered up to 1 September 2007.


RESULTS
There were 327 VTE events (1.40 per 1000 person-years), 138 (42%) unprovoked, during a mean of 10.9 years of follow-up. In age- and gender-adjusted analysis, age [hazard ratio (HR) per decade, 1.97; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.82-2.12], gender (men vs. women; HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.01-1.55), body mass index (BMI; HR per 3 kg m(-2), 1.21; 95% CI, 1.13-1.31), and family history of MI (HR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.04-1.65) were significantly associated with VTE. Family history of MI remained a significant risk factor for total VTE (HR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.01-1.60) and unprovoked VTE (HR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.03-2.07) in multivariable analysis. Blood pressure, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and smoking were not independently associated with total VTE.


CONCLUSIONS
Family history of MI is a risk factor for both MI and VTE, and provides further evidence of a link between venous and arterial thrombosis.
Braekkan
S K
SK
Center for Atherothrombotic Research in Tromsø, Department of Medicine, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway. sigrid.braekkan@fagmed.uit.no
Mathiesen
E B
EB
Njølstad
I
I
Wilsgaard
T
T
Størmer
J
J
Hansen
J B
JB
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*