Does a first-ever stroke increase the 10-year risk of myocardial infarction compared to the general population?
Patients with a first-ever stroke have a significantly higher 10-year risk of myocardial infarction compared to the general population, highlighting the need for aggressive secondary prevention.
BACKGROUND: Stroke and coronary heart disease (CHD) share common risk factors. The risk for stroke patients to have a myocardial infarction (MI) has not been fully explored. METHODS: Three hundred and seventy-seven first-ever stroke patients were ascertained prospectively. The 10-year incidence of MI was examined by register searches. The results were compared to the general Swedish population. Predictors for MI were identified using univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of MI over 10 years was 25.0/100 (95% confidence interval (CI), 19.5-31.5), 26.5 for men, (95% CI, 18.9-45.8) and 23.4 for women (95% CI, 16.0-32.9). Compared to the general population, the relative risk for stroke patients having a MI was 1.6 for men (95% CI, 1.12-2.37) and 1.9 for women (95% CI, 1.27-2.90). In multivariate analysis, CHD before the stroke (MI, angina pectoris, coronary artery bypass grafting, or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty) and peripheral artery disease were significant predictors for MI. CONCLUSION: The risk for MI is significantly higher, for both male and female stroke patients, compared to the general population. Stroke patients with previous CHD and peripheral artery disease are at highest risk. Stroke patients should receive adequate secondary prevention, and cardiac complaints must be taken seriously.
Appelros et al. (Tue,) studied this question.
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