Myocardial Infarction in the Young Indian Patient - An Emerging Problem

Abstract

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death in adults in the Western World. Myocardial Infarction is the lethal manifestation of this disease and can present as sudden death. Traditionally this occurs in adults over 45 years of age. The age limits for such definition is slightly different in various studies.  Premature CAD is defined as CAD occurring below  the age of 65 in women and 55 in men. CAD in the  young is defined as CAD occurring in patients less than  40 years of age. In this study 45 years is taken as cut off for defining young patients.