Assessment of Risk Factors and the Effect of Drug Abuse on the Incidence of Ischemic Heart Disease in Patients Less Than 40 Years Old

• Main Authors: Javad Karimi, Mohamadreza Maghsoudi, Lida Shojaei Arani, Shahrooz Yazdani, Nami Mohammadian Khonsari, Kiumars Bahmani, Hoorvash Faraji Dana
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences 2021-03-01
• Series: International Journal of Medical Toxicology and Forensic Medicine
• Subjects: myocardial infarction; drugs; cardiovascular disease
• Online Access: https://journals.sbmu.ac.ir/ijmtfm/article/view/31751

Background: in this study, we examined the risk factors and the effects of substance abuse on the incidence of ischemic heart disease in patients less than 40 years old in Shahid Rajaei Hospital in Karaj from 2019-2020. Methods: This case-control study was done on 70 patients in the cases and 70 cases in the control groups. All demographic data, including age, gender, place of residence, weight, height, body mass index, cardiovascular (CVD) risk factors, including hypertension, high levels of blood fats, diabetes, a history of smoking cigarettes, tobacco, crystal meth, and cocaine, alcohol consumption, as well as a history of taking supplements for bodybuilding, and sex-enhancing drugs were obtained. Afterward, blood levels of glucose and fats were evaluated and urine analysis for the presence of drugs, such as amphetamine, methamphetamine, buprenorphine, benzodiazepines, cannabinoids, cocaine, morphine, methadone, tramadol, and tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) was done. SPSS software v. 22 was used for data analysis. Results: Among the studied underlying factors and drugs, family history, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels above 130 mg/dL were significantly associated with a higher risk of acute myocardial infarction (MI) (P<0.05). Interestingly, alcohol consumption and the use of tobacco, opium, methadone, heroin, cocaine, cannabis, amphetamines, methamphetamine, tramadol, benzodiazepines, TCA, buprenorphine, and anabolic steroids were not significantly associated with acute MI under 40 years (P>0.05). Conclusion: according to the results of the present study, it seems that a positive family history of MI under the age of 55, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and LDL levels above 130 mg/dL are more significant risk factors for acute MI in patients under 40 years of age in comparison with the consumption of alcohol and the use of hookah, opium, methadone, heroin, cocaine, cannabis, amphetamine, methamphetamine, tramadol, benzodiazepines, TCA, buprenorphine, and anabolic steroids. It should be noted that further studies in this area are recommended.