Acute Myocardial Infarction among Urban and Rural Population of Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is an acute myocardial necrosis that results from the acute obstruction of the coronary artery. Its symptoms mainly include chest pain or discomfort, with or without dyspnea, nausea, and diaphoresis. Diagnosis is made by findings on ECG and by raised cardiac biomarkers in blood. AMI is one of the leading causes of death worldwide.

 Objective: To determine the frequency of acute myocardial infarction among urban and rural populations and determine risk factor distribution among them.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the Cardiac Complex Emergency department, BVH Bahawalpur to determine the frequency and risk factors of acute myocardial infarction among urban and rural populations. A sample of 350 patients visiting the cardiac complex emergency department, was taken using non-probability convenient sampling. The sample includes patients from the urban and rural population age group i.e. 20 years-80 years, both males and females, visiting the cardiac complex emergency department, with acute chest pain and positive ECG findings for AMI. Information was collected through a structured questionnaire.  

Results: A total of 350 patients were interviewed, 217 (62%) were from rural areas, and 133 (38%) were from urban areas. 260 (74.3%) were males, 90 (25.7%) were females. 153 (43.7%) were smokers, 197 (56.3%) were non-smoker. 220 (62.9%) belonged to low socioeconomic class, 130 (37.1%) belonged to middle socioeconomic class.

Conclusion:  Most of the AMI patients were old males, poor rural inhabitants, with uncontrolled hypertension, and smokers. Health education regarding knowledge of the risk factors of AMI is suggested at the population level specifically in rural areas.