Risk Factors for Acute Myocardial Infarction in Young People: A Study on Causes and Associated Conditions

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.15953225221014

• Palavras-chave: Acute Myocardial Infarction. Young Adult. Risk Factors. Acute Myocardial Infarction. Young Adult. Risk Factors.

• Keywords: Acute Myocardial Infarction. Young Adult. Risk Factors. Acute Myocardial Infarction. Young Adult. Risk Factors.

• Abstract:

  Introduction: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains one of the leading causes of global mortality. Despite a reduction in incidence in older populations, there has been a significant increase in cases among young adults (18–55 years), especially women, with distinct and often underestimated risk factors. Objective: To identify the main risk factors associated with AMI in young individuals, including genetic, metabolic, behavioral, gender, and ethnic factors. Method: A literature review was conducted in the PubMed Central (PMC) database using the descriptors “Acute Myocardial Infarction,” “Young Adult,” and “Risk Factors,” combined with the Boolean operator “AND.” Of the 148 articles initially found, 17 met the inclusion criteria (2018–2024), in addition to the inclusion of 1 additional article outside the initial strategy. Results: Smoking was identified as the most prevalent risk factor, increasing the risk of AMI in young smokers by up to 13 times. Other relevant traditional factors included obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome. Among genetic factors, familial hypercholesterolemia, Apolipoprotein E-related polymorphisms, elevated lipoprotein A, and hyperhomocysteinemia stood out. Inflammatory aspects, such as elevated levels of C-reactive protein , and PCSK9, were also associated with an increased risk of events. Young women showed a more significant increase in AMI rates, with diabetes, depression, and low family income being particularly influential, while ethnic differences showed a higher prevalence of hypertension in blacks and diabetes in Hispanics. Conclusion: AMI in young people has a distinct multifactorial profile, in which modifiable risk factors play a predominant role, but genetic and socioeconomic conditions also strongly influence. Early identification and individualized management of these factors are fundamental for primary prevention and reduction of the impact of AMI in this population.