Seasonal changes and the incidence of acute myocardial infarction: A cross-sectional study in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran

The present study was conducted to determine the relationship between seasonal changes and incidence of AMI in Sistan and Baluchestan province, Iran.

Although various studies have been carried out to examine the relationship between seasonal changes and incidence of Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) in different parts of the world, many of them have limitations and there are many contradictions between their findings. Despite considerable prevalence of AMI in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, similar studies have not been conducted in this area.

This cross-sectional study was done based on medical data of heart center of Sistan and Baluchestan Province from March 2015 to April 2016. In this study, census sampling was achieved of all the patients with AMI symptoms. Variables such as age, sex, marital status, birth date, physical symptoms, and past medical history; and also meteorological parameters such as minimum, maximum and average of temperature (Celsius), and wind direction were collected.

Except of mean rainfall, mean rate of other parameters had statistically significant differences during 12-month period of the study. Spearman correlation test showed a positive statistically significant correlation of incidence of AMI during one year with sunshine hours (r=0.685, p=0.014), and maximum daily temperature (r=0.626, p=0.030).

Finding revealed that raising temperature had direct relationship with incidence of AMI. The findings could be a foundation for governmental important health plans to control the incidence of AMI.