Prevalence of post myocardial infarction complications in geriatric population

Abstract

Background: Myocardial infarction, also commonly referred as “heart attack,” is caused by reduced or complete cessation of blood flow to a part of the myocardium. It is one of the leading causes of high mortality rates in the developing countries. Myocardial Infarction has been associated with higher pervasiveness of functional impairments, including deficits in cognition, vision and hearing, along with reduced strength and grip, and sensory domains, in elderly than younger individuals. Aim: The current study was conducted to evaluate the complications associated with patients with myocardial infarction. Methodology: This study was conducted on 150 geriatric patients who attended the Out Patient Department of the Cardiology Clinic, SMBT Medical College, Nasik, Maharashtra between 2017-2019. All the patients were followed up for a period of 6 months and parameters like functional impairments, including deficits in cognition, vision and hearing, along with reduced strength and grip, and mortality were evaluated by a single expert.

Results: All the subjects were between the age group of 62 to 87 years. The present study comprised of 65 females and 85 males. 27 patients out of 150 were reported dead in 6 months follow up. 19 out of these 27 subjects were males, whereas, 08 were females. 122 out of 150 subjects reported with a fall history. 82 out of 150 subjects reported with weak grip strength. Only 13 individuals out of 150 reported with cognitive impairment. 49 out 150 reported with visual impairment. 81 out 150 reported with hearing impairment. Conclusion: Elderly patients tend to be plagued by multiple comorbidities, frailty, poly-pharmacy, depression and cognitive impairments.  Future research is needed to understand where opportunities exist to improve care experience and outcomes for the vulnerable subsets of myocardial infarction.

Keywords: Chronic Heart Disease, Cognitive Impairment, Grip Strength, Hearing, Mortality, Myocardial Infarction.