1989 Volume 17 Issue 1 Pages 141-146
Of 35 young patients with ischemic heart disease (27 myocardial infarction and 9 angina pectoris) under 40 years: 12 had hypercholesterolemia, 10 had hypertension, and 8 were diabetics. Seven of 12 patients with hypercholesterolemia were familial. Multivessel disease was demonstrated in 7 cases, 6 of which were associated with hypercholesterolemia. The incidence of hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus in this group was significantly higher than in the young patients with nonischemic heart disease. However, hypercholesterolemia was more frequent than in the middle-aged patients with ischemic heart disease. The results suggest that hypercholesterolemia is the most important risk factor for ischemic heart disease in young people, although hypertension and diabetes mellitus are also contributing factors. No significant risk factor was demonstrated in 11 patients of young ischemic heart disease in our series. Among 8 myocardial infarctions without significant risk factors, 4 occured during heavy physical exercises, while 3 occured after excessive alcohol drinking.
