The Ongoing Importance of Smoking as a Powerful Risk Factor for ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Young Patients

Larsen GK, Seth M, Gurm HS. — Mon, 27 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

There has been a recent decline in the incidence of patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Whereas smoking is historically one of the strongest risk factors associated with STEMI, there has also been a decline in the proportion of current smokers in the United States from 1998 to 2010. The overall reduction in both the incidence of STEMI and active smoking makes it unclear what role smoking continues to play as a risk factor for STEMI. Accordingly, we used data from the 44 hospitals participating in the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Cardiovascular Consortium (BMC2) to evaluate the ongoing importance of smoking as a risk factor for STEMI.

JAMA Internal Medicine: Tobacco Topic Collection

The Ongoing Importance of Smoking as a Powerful Risk Factor for ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Young Patients