Seasonal Incidence of Acute Coronary Syndrome and Its Features
Enisa Hodzic1, Semir Perla1, Amer Iglica1
1Clinic for Heart Disease, Blood Vessels and Rheumatism, Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo.
Insights
Seasonal weather patterns influence acute coronary syndrome (ACS) incidence and outcomes. Winter months show higher ACS occurrence, complications, and fatal outcomes, particularly in older individuals, suggesting a need for lifestyle adaptation and improved treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) represents a significant global health burden and a primary cause of mortality worldwide.
- Understanding the epidemiological patterns of ACS is crucial for effective public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of seasons on ACS incidence, risk factors, and patient demographics.
- To analyze seasonal variations in ACS complications and fatal outcomes.
- To determine the relationship between age, gender, and seasonal ACS occurrence.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective-prospective analytical study involving 250 patients hospitalized in an Intensive Cardiac Care unit.
- Data collection included medical records and patient histories from June 2013 to July 2014.
- Analysis focused on seasonal distribution, risk factors, complications, and mortality rates.
Main Results:
- ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) was the most frequent ACS type, with no significant seasonal difference.
- Hypertension was the predominant risk factor, consistent across seasons.
- Higher ACS incidence, complications (p=0.048), and fatal outcomes (p=0.001) were observed during Autumn/Winter, especially in older patients.
Conclusions:
- Seasonal meteorological factors appear to impact ACS incidence, complications, and mortality.
- Patients should adapt lifestyles, and healthcare professionals should optimize ACS treatment strategies in response to seasonal variations.
Introduction:
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is one of the most common health problems in the world and the leading cause of death.
Goal:
The goals of this study are to determine: ACS type, risk factors, incidence and the seasonal distribution of occurrence Spring/Summer, Autumn/Winter, ACS incidence by age and gender, and complications (post-infarction angina and heart failure) and fatal outcomes of ACS per season.
Material And Methodology:
This study is designed as retrospective-prospective and analytical, which included 250 patients hospitalized in the Intensive Cardiac care unit of the Clinic for heart disease, blood vessels and rheumatism in the period from June 2013 to July 2014. It was assumed that there is the influence of the seasons on the incidence and characteristics of ACS. Material used were the medical records and data from the history of illness.
Results:
The most common type of ACS was ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), without statistical significant difference between seasons. Presence of risk factors is not significantly different between seasons, with the hypertension as the most common risk factor for ACS during both seasons. The highest incidence of ACS was recorded in December during the winter season, while the lowest incidence was recorded in March. The occurrence of ACS during the Spring/Summer, Autumn/Winter was different according to age, with more frequent occurrence of ACS in older patients during the winter months. ACS complications (postinfaction angina and cardiac insufficiency) were also statistically different between seasons (p=0.048). Fatal ACS is more often recorded during the season Autumn/Winter compared to Spring/Summer season (p=0.001).
Conclusion:
The results suggest seasonal meteorological impact on the incidence, complications and outcomes of ACS, so there is a necessity that patients adapt their lifestyle and health professionals to improve the ACS treatment.
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