Trends in conventional cardiovascular risk factors and myocardial infarction subtypes among young Chinese men with a first acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND: There is limited data on the characteristics of conventional risk factors (RFs) in young Chinese men hospitalized with a first acute myocardial infarction (AMI). HYPOTHESIS: We analyzed the trends in and prevalence of cardiovascular RFs and subtypes of MI during the first AMI in young Chinese men. METHODS: A total of 2739 men aged 18–44 years hospitalized for a first AMI were identified from 2007 to 2017. The overall prevalence of RFs and their respective temporal trends and subtypes of AMI were evaluated. RESULTS: The most prevalent conditions were smoking, followed by hypertension and then obesity. Patients aged <35 years had a much higher prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and obesity. Compared with a similar reference population in the United States, young Chinese men had a higher prevalence of smoking and dyslipidemia, but a lower prevalence of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. The prevalence of hypertension increased from 2007 through 2017 (p trend <.001), whereas smoking decreased gradually. AMI frequently presented as ST‐segment elevation MI (STEMI) (77.5%). Cluster of conventional RFs (3 RFs, odds ratio [OR]: 1.69, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.11–2.57; ≥4 RFs, OR: 2.50, 95% CI: 1.55–4.03] and multivessel disease (OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.08–1.60) increased the risk of non‐STEMI (NSTEMI). CONCLUSIONS: Conventional RFs were highly prevalent in young Chinese men who were hospitalized for first AMI events, and the temporal trends varied different between China and US populations. Multivessel disease and cluster of conventional RFs are closely related to NSTEMI. Optimized preventive strategies among young adults are warranted.