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Characteristics of West Virginians having myocardial infarction
D M Bell1, M A Fair, D M Elnicki
1Preventive Cardiology Clinic, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, USA.
Background:
Prevalence of risk factors in patients having myocardial infarction (MI) have been reported in large US and international studies, but little is known about the prevalence of risk factors in West Virginians having MI.
Methods:
Risk factors for MI were identified by ICD-9 codes. Logistic regression analysis was used to compute odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals.
Results:
In this cohort (n = 727), 72% of men less than 65 years old were current smokers. Women were older and had a lower frequency of smoking and a higher frequency of diabetes mellitus and obesity than men. Women less than 65 years old had significantly more hypertension than men.
Conclusions:
In West Virginia, women who have MI are more likely to be nonsmoking diabetics with hypertension.