Analysis of risk factors in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Information for nursing staff, 2022, 55(3), 33-39.

T. Popova, M. Dimitrova, D. Blagoeva

Faculty of Public Health „Prof. Dr. Tsekomir Vodenicharov, MD”, Medical University – Sofia

Abstract. The scale and medico-social significance of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in Bulgaria are discussed many times. Despite the progress and successes of modern treatment, morbidity remains persistently high, and the reasons for this are rooted in the lifestyle of the population and the prevalence of risk factors. Objective: The objective of the present study was to investigate and analyze some risk factors and lifestyle in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Material and methods: The study included 168 patients hospitalized in 4 university general hospitals with a diagnosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction. The research was conducted in the period August-December 2022. Documentary method, structured interview method, statistical method and graphical analysis method of the obtained results were used. The statistical processing of the data and the graphical presentation of the results were done with MS Excel 2017. Results: Many risk factors were widespread among respondents. Approximately 58.00% of them had evidence of elevated blood lipids, of which 37.29% learned about it during their hospitalization for acute myocardial infarction. Smoking is a universal risk factor, with a long-term effect and a high number of cigarettes smoked per day among patients with AMI, and its refusal and cessation does not inspire hope of success. Conclusions: Smoking, hereditary burden, arterial hypertension are significant risk factors for acute myocardial infarction. Closer cooperation between patients and medical specialists and building a partnership between them is necessary for the timely prevention of heart disease. Prevention should include health education aimed at correcting risky health behaviors, assessment of high-risk patients, and emphasis on future cardiovascular risk.

Key words: atherogenic risk factors, myocardial infarction, lifestyle, prevention

Address for correspondence: Tanya Popova, e-mail: t. popova@foz.mu-sofia.bg