Nick Nurmohamed and colleagues have raised critical concerns regarding the detection of risk factors and the use of preventive measures before the occurrence of myocardial infarctions (MI). They performed a retrospective cohort study examining U.S. patients with their first MI between 2017 and 2022. Their results are published in European Heart Journal.
"The collaboration [with Mount Sinai] has allowed us to tap into a huge database with data of nearly 5 million people in the US with a first-time MI between 2017 and 2022," |
A significant gap
Despite the global implementation of clinical algorithms designed to predict atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease based on traditional risk factors, the burden of this condition continues to rise. This was shown by a study from ACS researcher Nick Nurmohamed, in close collaboration with Mount Sinai. "The collaboration has allowed us to tap into a huge database with data of nearly 5 million people in the US with a first-time MI between 2017 and 2022," says Nick Nurmohamed. By analyzing the data, the researchers show a gap in both the identification of symptoms and the use of preventive therapy prior to MI events.
Differences in age groups and gender
The study also found distinct differences between age groups and genders. Patients aged 60 years or younger, and men in particular, were less likely to have documented symptoms or risk factors, less likely to visit a primary care physician. Also they were more likely to suffer from ST-elevation MI, a more severe form of the condition. In contrast, individuals over 60 years old and women were more frequently diagnosed with risk factors and symptoms, though they still faced issues with insufficient preventive care.
Better diagnostic tools and preventive care
The findings underscore a critical unmet need for better diagnostic tools. In addition, more proactive management strategies to identify patients at high risk for MI could ensure they receive appropriate preventive care. "We want to develop better ways to find people at risk of a heart attack earlier — even if they don't have any symptoms yet", explains Nurmohamed. "Think of advanced blood or imaging tests, for example. We have now developed the first prototypes of such approaches, and these new tests are now being studied to see if they really can save lives and save costs."
