Obesity and fat distribution in patients with premature myocardial infarction

Obesity is a major modifiable risk factor for coronary artery disease, but its relationship with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in early age is poorly documented. In this study we evaluated the prevalence of obesity in premature AMI. In this case-control study we assess 94 consecutive patients with AMI before the age of 50 years and 94 age-and sex- matched neighborhood healthy controls without a history of cardiovascular disease. Definition of obesity based on the body mass index (BMI> 30). BMI was calculated as weight in kg divided by height in square meters. Waist circumference was measured at the horizontal level of the umbilicus and WHR was a ratio of waist circumference to hip circumference measured at the horizontal level of the maximal protrusion of the gluteal muscles. Data collected and entered to SPSS and analysed by t-test and chi-square. The mean of BMI and waist to hip ratio (WHR) was significantly higher in case groups [BMI (27.1±4.4 in case and 25.7±4.4 in control group P= 0.04), WHR (0.93±0.07 in case and 0.91±0.06 in control group P= 0.01)]. Prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥ 30) is higher in case groups (27.7% in case, 14% in control P=0.021, OR= 2.35, CI%95= 1.12- 4.93). In this case-control population-based study, obesity and higher WHR are independently associated with the premature AMI.