risk factors for premature myocardial infarction: a matched case-control study

background : myocardial infarction in young age is increasing. identifying risk factors could be important for health promotion. we studied classic atherosclerotic risk factors in premature myocardial infarction. methods : in this matched case-control study, which was conducted from 2005 to 2007 in birjand county, the east of iran, atherosclerotic risk factors ( hypertension , family history of coronary artery diseases, obesity , diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia) of 98 patients affected by acute myocardial infarction aged under 50 years were compared with that of 98 healthy neighborhood controls. results : mean levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, as well as systolic blood pressure and body mass index were significantly higher in cases than in controls. there was a positive association between coronary artery disease at younger age and dyslipidemia or=2.8 [95% ci: 1.5, 5.2], smoking or=6.4 [95% ci: 3.0, 13.5], systolic hypertension or=3.1 [95% ci: 1.5, 6.3], family history of coronary artery diseases or=10.9 [95% ci: 3.2, 37.9] and diabetes or=2.5 [95% ci: 1.04, 6.2]. conclusion : smoking, systolic hypertension and dyslipidemia were the most common risk factors among patients with premature myocardial infarction.