Association of fatal myocardial infarction with past level of physical activity: a pooled analysis of cohort studies

Premorbid physical activity and prognosis after incident myocardial infarction: The atherosclerosis risk in communities study

BACKGROUND

High to moderate levels of physical activity (PA) are associated with low risk of incident cardiovascular disease. However, it is unclear whether the benefits of PA in midlife extend to cardiovascular health following myocardial infarction (MI) in later life.

METHODS

Among 1,111 Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study participants with incident MI during Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities follow-up (mean age 73 [SD 9] years at MI, 54% men, 21% Black), PA on average 11.9 (SD 6.9) years prior to incident MI (premorbid PA) was evaluated as the average score of PA between visit 1 (1987-1989) and visit 3 (1993-1995) using a modified Baecke questionnaire. Total and domain-specific PA (sport, nonsport leisure, and work PA) was analyzed for associations with composite and individual outcomes of mortality, recurrent MI, and stroke after index MI using multivariable Cox models.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 4.6 (IQI 1.0-10.5) years after incident MI, 823 participants (74%) developed a composite outcome. The 10-year cumulative incidence of the composite outcome was lower in the highest, as compared to the lowest tertile of premorbid total PA (56% vs. 70%, respectively). This association remained statistically significant even after adjusting for potential confounders (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.80 [0.67-0.96] for the highest vs. lowest tertile). For individual outcomes, high premorbid total PA was associated with a low risk of recurrent MI (corresponding aHR 0.64 [0.44, 0.93]). When domain-specific PA was analyzed, similar results were seen for sport and work PA. The association was strongest in the first year following MI (e.g., aHR of composite outcome 0.66 [95% CI 0.47, 0.91] for the highest vs. lowest tertile of total PA).

CONCLUSIONS

Premorbid PA was associated positively with post-MI cardiovascular health. Our results demonstrate the additional prognostic advantages of PA beyond reducing the risk of incident MI.

The bidirectional association between atrial fibrillation and myocardial infarction

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and vice versa. This bidirectional association relies on shared risk factors as well as on several direct and indirect mechanisms, including inflammation, atrial ischaemia, left ventricular remodelling, myocardial oxygen supply-demand mismatch and coronary artery embolism, through which one condition can predispose to the other. Patients with both AF and MI are at greater risk of stroke, heart failure and death than patients with only one of the conditions. In this Review, we describe the bidirectional association between AF and MI. We discuss the pathogenic basis of this bidirectional relationship, describe the risk of adverse outcomes when the two conditions coexist, and review current data and guidelines on the prevention and management of both conditions. We also identify important gaps in the literature and propose directions for future research on the bidirectional association between AF and MI. The Review also features a summary of methodological approaches for the study of bidirectional associations in population-based studies.

Higher mortality in acute coronary syndrome patients without standard modifiable risk factors: Results from a global meta-analysis of 1,285,722 patients

BACKGROUND

Standard modifiable cardiovascular risk factors (SMuRF), comprising diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and smoking, are used for risk stratification in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Recent studies showed an increasing proportion of SMuRF-less ACS patients.

METHODS

Embase, Medline and Pubmed were searched for studies comparing SMuRF-less and SMuRF patients with first presentation of ACS. We conducted single-arm analyses to determine the proportion of SMuRF-less patients in the ACS cohort, and compared the clinical presentation and outcomes of these patients.

RESULTS

Of 1,285,722 patients from 15 studies, 11.56% were SMuRF-less. A total of 7.44% of non-ST-segment-elevation ACS patients and 12.87% of ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients were SMuRF-less. The proportion of SMuRF-less patients presenting with STEMI (60.71%) tended to be higher than those with SMuRFs (49.21%). Despite lower body mass index and fewer comorbidities such as chronic kidney disease, peripheral arterial disease, stroke and heart failure, SMuRF-less patients had increased in-hospital mortality (RR:1.57, 95%CI:1.38 to 1.80) and cardiogenic shock (RR:1.39, 95%CI:1.18 to 1.65), but lower risk of heart failure (RR:0.91, 95%CI:0.83 to 0.99). On discharge, SMuRF-less patients were prescribed less statins (RR:0.93, 95%CI:0.91 to 0.95), beta-blockers (RR:0.94, 95%CI:0.92 to 0.96), P2Y12 inhibitors (RR: 0.98, 95%CI: 0.96 to 0.99), and angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin-receptor blocker (RR:0.92, 95%CI:0.75 to 0.91).

CONCLUSION

In this study level meta-analysis, SMuRF-less ACS patients demonstrate higher mortality compared with patients with at least one traditional atherosclerotic risk factor. Underuse of guideline-directed medical therapy amongst SMuRF-less patients is concerning. Unraveling novel risk factors amongst SMuRF-less individuals is the next important step.

SUMMARY

Standard modifiable cardiovascular risk factors (SMuRF), comprising diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and smoking, are often used for risk stratification in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Recent studies showed an increasing proportion of SMuRF-less ACS patients. Of 1,285,722 ACS patients, 11.56% were SMuRF-less. Despite lower body mass index and fewer comorbidities, SMuRF-less patients had increased in-hospital mortality and cardiogenic shock. However, despite worse outcomes, SMuRF-less patients were prescribed less guideline-directed medical therapies on discharge.

Estimating Worldwide Impact of Low Physical Activity on Risk of Developing Ischemic Heart Disease-Related Disability: An Updated Search in the 2019 Global Health Data Exchange (GHDx)

We provide here updated analysis of the impact of physical inactivity on risk of developing ischemic heart disease (IHD)-related disability along with the latest 10-year progression. We collected data through an electronic search in the 2019 Global Health Data Exchange (GHDx) database using the keywords "low physical activity", complemented with the additional epidemiologic variables "disability-adjusted life years" (DALYs; number); "ischemic heart disease"; "socio-demographic index" (SDI); "age"; "sex" and "year", for calculating volume of DALYs lost due to physical activity (PA)-related disability after IHD (LPA-IHD impairment). Based on this search, the overall LPA-IHD impairment was estimated at 7.6 million DALYs in 2019 (3.9 and 3.7 million DALYs in males and females, respectively), thus representing nearly 50% of all PA-related disabilities. The highest impact of LPA-IHD impairment was observed in middle SDI countries, being the lowest in low SDI countries. The LPA-IHD DALYs increased by 17.5% in both sexes during the past 10 years (19.2% in males, and 15.8% in females, respectively), though this trend was dissimilar among different SDI areas, especially during the past two years. In high and high-middle SDI countries, the LPA-IHD grew during the past 2 years, whilst the trend remained stable or declined in other regions. In conclusion, LPA-IHD impairment remains substantial worldwide, leading the way to reinforce current policies aimed at increasing PA volume in the population.