title: Risk factor assessment of young patients with acute myocardial infarction.
abstract: The Middle East represents an attractive area for young individuals to seek employment, where they are exposed to numerous environmental conditions. The pursuit of a better standard of living has driven hundreds to the Middle East over the recent decades. This influx has also resulted in a predisposition to premature coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of this study was to provide an overview of the risk factors in patients younger than 45 years, presenting with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Out of the 148 patients analyzed, 137 were males and 11 females. 119 were from South Asia and 29 were Arabs. Their mean age was 36 ± 4.2 years. Smoking was the most prevalent risk factor in both groups at 67.6%. This was followed by hypertension, family history of CAD, hyperlipidemia and Diabetes mellitus. There was no significant difference in the clinical risk factor profile between these two groups. ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) was noted in 67.6%, while 32.4% patients suffered a Non ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). 84.5% received coronary stents, 8.8% had lone thrombus aspiration or balloon angioplasty only, while the rest were treated by conservative medical management or referred for coronary artery bypass surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is no significant difference in the CAD risk profile between young South Asian and Arab patients. Preventive strategies focused on risk factor reduction, especially smoking cessation, should be implemented to protect young adults in the most productive years of their life.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Tawam Hospital PO Box 15258, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Gohar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jamil
authors.forename: Mujgan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jamil
authors.forename: Hind
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Alkhazraji
authors.forename: Amber
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Haque
authors.forename: Fares
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chedid
authors.forename: Manjula
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Balasubramanian
authors.forename: Bahaa
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Khairallah
authors.forename: Anwer
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Qureshi
keywords: Young patients; acute myocardial infarction; smoking