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Association between hematocrit in late adolescence and subsequent myocardial infarction in Swedish men

Fredrik Toss1, Anna Nordström, Peter Nordström

  • 1Department of Surgical and Perioperative Sciences, Sports Medicine, Sweden; Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Medicine, Sweden; Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Geriatric Medicine, Sweden.

International Journal of Cardiology
|June 6, 2013
PubMed

Insights

High hematocrit levels in young men predict future myocardial infarction risk. This finding suggests hematocrit may assist in early cardiovascular risk assessment for adolescents.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Hematology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Hematocrit is a known cardiovascular risk predictor in older adults.
  • The predictive value of hematocrit in younger populations remains unclear.
  • This study investigates adolescent hematocrit and later myocardial infarction risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if hematocrit levels measured during adolescence are associated with myocardial infarction risk later in life.
  • To explore the relationship between early-life hematocrit and cardiovascular events.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from 417,099 young Swedish men conscripted between 1969-1978.
  • Measured hematocrit during conscription tests.
  • Followed the cohort for myocardial infarction events until December 2010 using Cox regression models.

Main Results:

  • A total of 9,322 first-time myocardial infarctions were recorded over a median 36-year follow-up.
  • Men with hematocrit ≥49% had a 1.4-fold increased risk of myocardial infarction compared to those with hematocrit ≤44%.
  • A significant dose-dependent relationship (p<0.001 for trend) was observed, consistent throughout follow-up.

Conclusions:

  • Adolescent hematocrit levels are associated with long-term myocardial infarction risk in men, independent of other risk factors.
  • Hematocrit measurement in young individuals may enhance future cardiovascular risk stratification.
  • Findings suggest incorporating hematocrit into early cardiovascular risk assessment protocols.
Abstract

Keywords:
AdolescenceBlood rheologyErythrocyte sedimentation rateHematocritMyocardial infarctionRisk factor

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