Risk profile of myocardial infarction in young versus older adults.

BACKGROUND: In developing countries, the number of adults who develop myocardial infarction (MI) at a young age is high. The popularity of waterpipe smoking (WPS) has increased among the same age group. It is unknown if WPS contributes to the incidence of early-onset MI.

OBJECTIVE: To study the association of WPS with early-onset MI, which is defined as first MI occurring in individuals 18 ≥ age ≤ 45 years compared to those older than 45 years.

METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. The association of WPS with first-time MI was compared between younger and older adults (N = 225).

RESULTS: Twenty-five percent of all participants developed an acute MI before the age of 46 years. Both cigarette and WPS were more common among younger first-time MI patients than older first-time MI patients.

CONCLUSIONS: WPS is one risk factor that distinguishes the risk profile of young adults with early-onset MI.