Study of risk factors for female patients with acute myocardial infarction

Introduction

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is one of the most common cardiovascular emergencies. Female patients have different features to male patients. The objective of our study was to analyze risk factors for female patients with AMI.

Methods

Five hundred and eighty female patients were compared with 2,058 male patients for age, occupation, positive family history, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipemia. Then, according to age, patients with AMI were divided into four groups: <55 years, 55 to 64 years, 65 to 74 years, ≥ 75 years. Risk factors were compared between female patients and male patients in each group.

Results

Compared with male patients, female patients were older (P < 0.01); The morbidity of type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension and the rate of physical labors were significantly higher in female patients (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.01); the morbidity of hyperlipemia and the rate of mental labors and positive family history were significantly lower in female patients (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.05). In the <55 years group, the morbidity of type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension and the rate of physical labors were significantly higher in female patients (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.01); the rate of mental labors were significantly lower in female patients (P < 0.01). In the 55 to 64 years group, the morbidity of type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension and the rate of physical labors were significantly higher in female patients (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.01); the rate of mental labors was significantly lower in female patients (P < 0.01). In the 65 to 74 years group, the morbidity of type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension and the rate of physical labors were significantly higher in female patients (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.01); the rate of mental labors was significantly lower in female patients (P < 0.01). In the ≥ 75 years group, the rate of physical labors was significantly higher in female patients (P < 0.01); the rate of mental labors was significantly lower in female patients (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Compared with male patients, female patients with AMI were older, and type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension probably played more important roles in female patients. A higher rate of physical labors and a lower rate of mental labors in female patients probably contribute to prevent them from AMI.