What question did this study set out to answer?

To assess perceived stress levels in young myocardial infarction patients and their relationship with various demographic and clinical factors.

April 3, 2026Open Access

Perceived stress in young patients with myocardial infarction: A case–control study from a tertiary care center in India

Key Result

Moderate-to-high perceived stress was an independent predictor of premature myocardial infarction in young adults (adjusted OR 3.45; 95% CI: 1.36–8.76).

Key Points

To assess perceived stress levels in young myocardial infarction patients and their relationship with various demographic and clinical factors.
Cross-sectional case-control study design
Included 100 young MI patients and 100 matched controls
Used the perceived stress scale for assessment
Evaluated socioeconomic status via Modified Kuppuswamy Scale
Performed statistical analysis with SPSS
90% of MI cases reported moderate-to-high perceived stress compared to 76% of controls
Hypertension, smoking, and high perceived stress were independent predictors of MI
76% of MI cases had a lower socioeconomic status compared to 63% of controls

Structured PICO

Is perceived stress independently associated with myocardial infarction in young patients?

Population

Young patients (18–45 years) with myocardial infarction and age- and gender-matched controls

Intervention

Moderate-to-high perceived stress

Comparator

Low perceived stress / healthy controls

Outcome

Association of perceived stress with premature myocardial infarctionpatient reported

Moderate-to-high perceived stress is an independent predictor of premature myocardial infarction in young patients, highlighting the importance of psychosocial risk factors.

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular disease is increasingly affecting younger individuals in India. Psychosocial stress has emerged as an important modifiable risk factor, but data among young myocardial infarction (MI) patients remain limited. Aims and Objectives: To evaluate perceived stress levels in young patients with MI and examine their association with demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical variables. Materials and Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional case–control study included 100 young MI patients (18–45 years) and 100 age- and gender-matched controls. Perceived stress was assessed using the perceived stress scale, and socioeconomic status was evaluated using the Modified Kuppuswamy Scale (2022). Statistical analysis was performed using the statistical package for the Social Sciences. A P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Demographic and anthropometric parameters were comparable between groups. Conventional risk factors were significantly more prevalent among cases, including hypertension (31% vs. 10%), diabetes mellitus (11% vs. 2%), obesity (10% vs. 2%), smoking (62% vs. 23%), alcohol consumption (51% vs. 26%), and family history of coronary artery disease (16% vs. 6%) (all P<0.05). Lower socioeconomic status was more common among cases (76% vs. 63%, P=0.046). Moderate-to-high perceived stress was observed in 90% of cases compared with 76% of controls (P=0.008). Hypertension (adjusted odds ratio OR 4.74; 95% confidence interval CI: 1.93–11.65; P=0.001), smoking (adjusted OR 4.19; 95% CI: 1.96–8.98; P<0.001), and moderate-to-high perceived stress (adjusted OR 3.45; 95% CI: 1.36–8.76; P=0.009) were independent predictors of MI on multivariate logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: Young patients with MI exhibit significantly higher perceived stress and a greater burden of traditional cardiovascular risk factors compared with controls. After multivariate adjustment, moderate-to-high perceived stress remained independently associated with premature MI. Incorporation of stress assessment into cardiovascular risk evaluation may be beneficial; however, prospective studies are required to establish causality.

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