CHARACTERISTICS OF WEST-VIRGINIANS HAVING MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION

Background. Prevalence of risk factors in patients having myocardial i nfarction (MI) have been reported in large US and international studie s, but little is known about the prevalence of risk factors in West Vi rginians having MI. Methods, Risk factors for MI were identified by IC D-9 codes. Logistic regression analysis was used to compute odds ratio s and 95% confidence intervals. Results. In this cohort (n = 727), 72% of men less than 65 years old were current smokers. Women were older and had a lower frequency of smoking and a higher frequency of diabete s mellitus and obesity than men. Women less than 65 years old had sign ificantly more hypertension than men. Conclusions. In West Virginia, w omen who have MI are more likely to be nonsmoking diabetics with hyper tension.