URN Effect of Hypertension on Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Cross-cultural Comparison

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in many of the affluent Arab nations. The incidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and hypertension is also rising rapidly.The aim of this study is to assess the effect of hypertension among the Qatari and Non Qatari patients admitted to hospital in Qatar with Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI).This is a retrospective cohort study.Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation.All Qatari and Non Qatari patients who were hospitalised with AMI with or without hypertension in the Hamad General Hospital, State of Qatar from 1991 to 2002. Overall 22,440 patients (40% were males vs 60% were females) admitted during a period of twelve years.The Diagnostic classification of definite AMI was made in accordance with criteria based on the International Classification of Disease tenth revision (ICD-10). The obtained information was based on the following parameters: the age at the time of admission, gender, cardiovascular risk factor profiles (smoking status, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, and pre-existing coronary heart disease), and ECG AMI location. We have also studied the trend of in-hospital mortality, morbidity and acute medical care provided. Data analysis were performed using stepwise logistic regression analysis. Of the total 22,440 patients, 8976 (40%) were Qatari`s and 13,464 (60%) were non-Qatari`s. Out of total sample, 5390 (24%) patients admitted with AMI. Qatari`s with AMI were 1598 and 601 among them were hypertensive and Non Qataris with AMI were 3792 and 826 among them were hypertensive. Also, the incidence of hypertension was slightly higher in females than in males both among the Qataris 41.1% vs. 20.5% p<0.001 and among the Non Qataris 13.0% vs. 3.2%. Hypertension cases were rising sharply with increasing age (p<0.001) among the Qataris. The results of stepwise logistics regression analysis showed that there was a statistically significant association between AMI and gender, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, shortness of breath and smoking.The present study revealed that there is a strong association between AMI, hypertension, DM and other CVD risk factors, indicating the importance of the need for more effective prevention programs and control of hypertension and AMI.