Acute Myocardial Infarction Presenting in a Woman with Multiple Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Case Report

Abstract

Myocardial infarction occurs when cardiac myocytes die due to myocardial ischaemia. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is part of the spectrum of acute coronary syndrome. Its incidence is variable all over the world. In the United States, approximately 650,000 patients experience a new Acute Myocardial Infarction, and 450,000 experience a recurrent AMI, each year. In United Kingdom its incidence is 300,000 new cases per year. In Kenya, Eastern Africa, increase in the prevalence and risk factors has been reported. In Nigeria, the actual prevalence is unknown. However, in a study done at Aminu Kano teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria, the reported prevalence was 0.4% of all medical admissions.
The incidence of case fatality following myocardial infarction appears to be on the decline in the USA and in developed countries. This is attributable to introduction of effective intervention therapies and reduction of identifiable major risk factors. Acute myocardial infarction may not be as rare as has been thought in our environment, especially in the light of changing lifestyles to match western habits. It is likely that awareness of its existence is not recognized early enough and/or is still low in our environment. The authors think that a high level of suspicion should be developed by doctors and opportunities to create awareness for non-medical members of our community should be embarked on. This is the reason for this case report.