THE MORTALITY AND MORBIDITY OF YOUNG SURVIVORS OF MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 51  (203) , 366-371
Abstract
The mortality and morbidity of 150 young (< 45 yr) survivors of myocardial infarction was studied prospectively over a 10-yr period. Deaths (37 total; 36 due to coronary artery disease) occurred from 1 mo. to 10 yr after myocardial infarction; the cumulative 10-yr mortality was 27% compared with 5% in the general population. High initial lactate dehydrogenase levels and continued cigarette smoking after infarction were associated with a poor long-term survival. Angina was present at some time during follow-up in 60% of patients. Severe limitation of exercise tolerance was present in 18%, and 16% had radiological evidence of cardiomegaly. Left ventricular failure occurred in 13 patients and carried a very poor prognosis. Unemployment in 95 men who survived 10 yr was 32%, half of whom had never returned to work following infarction, compared with a regional value of 7%. Evidently, there is a prolonged and persistent mortality and morbidity in young survivors of myocardial infarction with a high level of male unemployment. Careful rehabilitation should reduce the economic loss to the community together with warnings against cigarette smoking.