Iran Journal of Nursing

  Background and Aim: Coronary artery diseases are the most common cardiovascular diseases and considered as the main cause of mortality in the world and in Iran. A set of risk factors interfere to make these diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate risk factors of coronary artery diseases in patients with myocardial infraction.

  Material and Method: This case-control study was conducted on 60 patients with myocardial infarction admitted in cardiac care unit of Fatemieh hospital (as case group) and other 60 patients admitted in ENT and eye ward of Amiralmomenin hospital (as control group) in Semnan, Iran. The data collection tool was checklist, and the patients were evaluated regarding four main modifiable risk factors of coronary artery diseases as smoking, hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia.

  Results: The findings showed that 71.7% of the patients with myocardial infarction were male, the mean age of patients with myocardial infarction was 62.9 years, and the most common risk factors were smoking and hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between two groups relative to the prevalence of the risk factors as smoking, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia, but the difference was not statistically significant for diabetes. Odd's ratio relative to smoking, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes were 2.95, 2.25, 2.78, and 2, respectively. Odd's ratio relative to smoking, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia were significant, but it was not significant relative to diabetes.

  Conclusion: The results indicated that smoking, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia are the most common risk factors in patient with myocardial infarction. Smoking with the highest Odd's ratio is the most important risk factor. Because these risk factors are modifiable, therefore, knowing them and taking actions to modify them are very important in reducing the risk of myocardial infarction and related mortality.