Risk factors associated with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions among young patients treated in the Mid-West of Ireland: a case series report using secondary data

BACKGROUND: ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) occurs when the myocardium has been damaged due to an acute occlusion of a coronary artery. STEMI commonly presents in older populations; however, little is known about the prevalence and risk factors among young patients. This is the first study on STEMI in young patients in Ireland. AIMS: To determine the prevalence of STEMI and explore the associated risk factors in a cohort of young adults aged 45 years and below in the Mid-West of Ireland. METHODS: This is a case series report using secondary data analysis of data collected from patients aged 45 years or below, hospitalized at University Hospital Limerick between January 2012 and December 2019. All patients who had a primary diagnosis of STEMI during this time period were eligible for inclusion. Clinical data were collected via electronic records and included demographic, clinical, and biomarker variables. RESULTS: The sociodemographic characteristics of the STEMI patients revealed that a majority were male (90%), overweight or obese (63%), smokers (69%) and lived in urban areas (74%). Over half of the patients (53%) were diagnosed with hypertension, 69% had a family history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and 40% had diabetes diagnosis. After initial hospitalization, 64% were readmitted for another procedure. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified cardiovascular risk factors among STEMI patients in Ireland as male, smoking, family history of cardiovascular disease, and being overweight or obese. This study hopes to increase awareness of young STEMI patients and inform health promotion initiatives within this cohort.