Younger patients from the Middle East and Gulf region presenting with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have a greater prevalence of risk factors, including smoking and high cholesterol, compared with older patients also presenting with a first ACS, according to a study being presented at the ACC Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean 2023 conference, being held Nov. 3-5 in Athens, Greece, and hosted by the ACC and the Hellenic Society of Cardiology.

Firas Al Badarin, MD, FACC, et al., at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, examined data from 532 consecutive patients admitted with their first ACS between 2015-2018, including a comparison of baseline characteristics, extent of coronary artery disease (CAD), in-hospital stroke, bleeding, cardiac arrest and mortality in those younger than 50 years (n=141) and those 50 years and older (n=391).

Results showed that the younger ACS patients were more likely to be men, with a higher prevalence of smoking, higher cholesterol levels and family history of premature CAD. They also had a higher likelihood of presenting with a STEMI.

However, younger patients were less likely to have diabetes or high blood pressure, as well as less extensive CAD, while they had a similar risk of death, stroke or major bleeding as older patients.

“We know younger patients in developed countries presenting with ACS often have a high prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors,” says Al Badarin. “While data on these patients in the Middle East and Gulf region is limited, given socioeconomic diversity and a higher prevalence of obesity in the region, determining the burden of cardiovascular risk factors among our younger patients offers an opportunity to target primary prevention efforts.”

The investigators also note that “while further research is needed to understand the relationship between various risk factors and ACS severity and patients’ outcomes, there are already steps we can take to hopefully reduce ACS in younger patients in the region.”

The ACC Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean conference brings together global experts and a diverse scientific audience across the entire cardiac care team to discuss best practices for improving the heart health of patients with cardiovascular disease, which is responsible for one-third of all deaths in the Middle East and North Africa. Some must-see plenary sessions and poster presentations include:

• Advances in Heart Failure
• Diversity, Equity and Belonging in Cardiology: Building a Sustainable Profession
• Top Trials to Impact Your Practice
• Cardiovascular Burden of Different Strains of COVID-19
• Comparative Assessment of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Prevention Tools in a Middle Eastern Population

The Impact of Patient’s Verbal Complaints and Body Language on Diagnosis and Early Triage of Cases of Acute Myocardial Infarction