No Clear Link with Diet and AMI: A Case - Control Study of Risk Factors of Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients in Trinidad

Objectives: Dietary risk factors are considered a major determinant of coronary artery disease. However, dietary components resulting in IHD have been mixed and inconsistent. The aim of this study was to determine traditional and dietary risks for acute myocardial infarction. Methodology: This case control study was conducted at a public health care institute. Confirmed AMI cases were matched against hospitalised age and sex matched non-IHD patients. Data collected from face to face interviews were analysed using SPSS version 21. Descriptive and analytic analyses comprising Pearson's chi squared test of association and conditional logistic regression were conducted. Results: Traditional risk factors such as ischemic heart disease, previous heart attack, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, family history of IHD, hypertension, obesity and higher waist circumference increased the odds of AMI. Exercising (less than 4 times a week), alcohol use (frequently) and smoking (frequently) showed significant associations. Overall, there was no association with diet and AMI. However, there were associations identified in certain subgroups with respect to diet and AMI. Predictors of AMI overall were ischemic heart disease, previous heart attack and hypercholesterolemia. Indo-Trinidadians who exercised less than 4 times per week and males who ate less than 3 servings per week had an increased likelihood of having an MI (1.908 times and twice as likely respectively) to have an AMI. Conclusion: Overall, there is no association of diet and AMI. Traditional risk factors still largely determine AMI.