DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sjams.2026.v14i02.002

Pages: 113-117

Background: ST-elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI] is a critical manifestation of coronary artery disease, posing substantial health risks, particularly among individuals over 40 years of age. In this population, cumulative exposure to risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and smoking, alongside age-related physiological changes, significantly contributes to increased morbidity and mortality. This study investigates the relationship between prevalent cardiovascular risk factors and in-hospital outcomes among older patients with acute STEMI. Methods: A hospital-based observational study was conducted in the Department of Medicine at Khulna Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh, from June to November 2016. Fifty patients aged above 40 years diagnosed with acute STEMI were enrolled using purposive sampling. Data on demographics, clinical features, and echocardiographic parameters were collected using structured questionnaires. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 27.0, employing the Chi-square test with a significance threshold of p<0.05. Results: Among the 50 participants, 80% were male and 20% female. Hypertension [80%] and smoking [54%] were the most common risk factors, followed by diabetes mellitus [46%], dyslipidemia [36%], and a family history of ischemic heart disease [32%]. Major complications included heart failure [32%], arrhythmias [8%], cardiogenic shock [18%], post-MI angina [12%], and in-hospital mortality [14%]. Patients with multiple risk factors exhibited significantly poorer outcomes. Conclusion: The clustering of cardiovascular risk factors was strongly correlated with adverse in-hospital outcomes and higher mortality rates among older STEMI patients. Hypertension and smoking emerged as predominant contributors, emphasizing the need for early detection and comprehensive risk management strategies.