Acute coronary syndromes in deployed military personnel
Leigh K McGraw1, Barbara S Turner, Nancy A Stotts
1Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Washington, USA. leigh.mcgraw@us.army.mil
Insights
Deployed military men experiencing acute coronary syndrome (ACS) often have multiple cardiovascular risk factors, including smoking and hyperlipidemia. Early assessment and modification of these risks are crucial for this population.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Military Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Deployed military personnel are often perceived as healthy.
- Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) can affect even seemingly low-risk individuals.
- Understanding the cardiovascular risk profile in this demographic is vital.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the cardiovascular risk profile of deployed military men diagnosed with ACS.
- To identify common risk factors associated with ACS in this population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective record review of 100 deployed military men treated for ACS between 2001 and 2007.
- Data collected from an overseas military medical center.
Main Results:
- 82% of subjects were diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction; 18% with unstable angina.
- Mean age was 44.7 years; common risk factors included family history of premature coronary artery disease (41%), smoking (47%), hyperlipidemia (48%), and hypertension (28%).
- The group was overweight (BMI 27.77 kg/m²), with a low Framingham risk score (7.8%).
Conclusions:
- Despite a generally low-risk profile, deployed military men experience ACS with multiple cardiovascular risk factors.
- Interventions such as smoking cessation, weight management, and dyslipidemia treatment are essential.
- Early risk factor assessment and modification are critical for preventing ACS in this population.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to describe the cardiovascular (CV) risk profile of deployed military men who experience acute coronary syndrome (ACS).
Data Sources:
A retrospective record review of deployed military men who experienced ACS while deployed and were treated at an overseas military medical center between 2001 and 2007 was conducted to obtain the information for this descriptive study (N= 100).
Conclusions:
Acute myocardial infarction was diagnosed in 82% of the sample, and 18% experienced unstable angina. Subjects' mean age was 44.7 years (SD± 7.6; range 29-60) and most were enlisted and reservists. Risk factors included a family history of premature coronary artery disease (41%) and smoking (47%) as well as a history of hyperlipidemia (48%), hypertension (28%), and glucose abnormalities (6%). The group was overweight (BMI 27.77 kg/m(2) ± 3.2) and low risk for CV events (Framingham risk score 7.8%[± 4.4]).
Implications For Practice:
Young military men are regarded as the epitome of health and fitness; however, findings from this study suggest that this generally low-risk group do indeed have multiple CV risk factors and experience ACS. Early risk factor assessment and modification, including smoking cessation, weight management, and improving dyslipidemia, is essential.
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