The Association between Risk Factors and Prodromal Myocardial Infarction Symptoms: A Cross-Sectional Study in Iran

BACKGROUND: Prodromal symptoms in individuals with risk factors remain challenging, even though myocardial infarction has been noted in research. This study determined the association of risk factors with patients' baseline myocardial infarction related prodromal symptoms. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 154 Iranian men and women, mean age 59.62 ± 12.74 years were assessed in 2016–2017. The frequency besides severity of 33 prodromal symptoms and risk factors was assessed using McSweeney Prodromal Myocardial Infarction Symptom Survey. RESULTS: The main cardiac prodromal symptoms experienced by patients were chest pain/discomfort (n = 99, 64.30%), unusual fatigue (n = 78, 50.60%), and sleep disturbance (n = 33, 20.40%). Women experienced more prodromal symptoms than men (33.26 ± 21.88 vs. 25.48 ± 17.75). Among risk factors, only sex was associated with prodromal symptoms score (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The frequently experienced prodromal symptoms, i.e., before MI were chest pain/discomfort, unusual fatigue, and sleep disturbance. A crucial finding was the significant association between sex and prodromal symptoms. Identifying prodromal symptoms in patients with risk factors can prevent the incidence of myocardial infarction.