Prevalence And Risk Factors of Myocardial Infarction in Young Adults (18–45 Years) at Saidu Group of Teaching Hospital (SGTH)

Abstract

Background: Myocardial infarction (MI) is increasingly reported among young adults in South Asia, producing disproportionate long-term morbidity, productivity loss, and premature mortality. Local evidence from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains limited, constraining targeted prevention strategies. Objective: To describe the distribution of major modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors among young adults (18–45 years) with MI presenting to Saidu Group of Teaching Hospital (SGTH), Swat. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 150 consecutively enrolled patients aged 18–45 years with clinically confirmed MI admitted to SGTH. Data were obtained through structured interviews, anthropometric measurement, and medical-record verification, covering sociodemographic, smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, substance use, family history, and psychosocial stress. Descriptive statistics were generated; sex-based comparisons used χ² or t-tests with p-values reported. Results: Mean age was 35.51 ± 8.23 years; 56.0% were male and 62.0% were from low socioeconomic status. Current smoking was common (49.3%) and significantly higher in males than females (66.7% vs 27.3%; p<0.001). Substance use was reported by 62.0% and was more frequent in males (73.8% vs 47.0%; p=0.002). High-fat/sugary diet (60.0%) and physical inactivity (40.0%) were prevalent without significant sex differences. Mean BMI was 29.01 ± 3.88 kg/m², with 68.7% overweight/obese. Family history of premature MI (58.7%) and psychosocial stress (52.7%) were frequent. Conclusion: Young MI at SGTH is characterized by heavy clustering of modifiable risks—particularly smoking, substance use, unhealthy diet, inactivity, and excess weight—alongside familial predisposition and psychosocial stress, supporting urgent age-specific prevention and early risk screening.