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MI risk higher in unmarried men, women
Unmarried men and women face an increased risk for fatal and nonfatal MI, no matter their age, according to recent study findings published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.
The study was based on FINAMI MI register data from 1993 to 2002. Researchers analyzed information on adults aged at least 35 years living in four geographical regions of Finland.
The register recorded 15,330 ACS events during the 10-year study period. More than half (7,703) resulted in death within 28 days.
The age-standardized incidences of these ACS events were approximately 58% to 66% higher among unmarried men and 60% to 65% higher in unmarried women compared with vs. married men and women in all age groups, according to a press release.
Differences in 28-day mortality rates were even greater — 60% to 168% higher in unmarried men and 71% to 175% higher in unmarried women vs. married men and women. The 28-day ACS mortality rate in married men aged 65 to 74 years was 866 per 100,000 person-years, but 1,792 per 100,000 person-years for unmarried men. Similarly, in married women the same age, the 28-day mortality rate was 247 per 100,000 person-years and 493 per 100,000 person-years for unmarried women, according to the release.
The researchers calculated a 28-day case fatality rate of 26% for married men aged 35 to 64 years, 42% for previously married men and 51% for never married men. The case fatality rates for women were 20%, 32% and 43%, respectively.
According to other results, middle-aged men who were living alone or were unmarried tended to receive thrombolysis less often.
The researchers said a number of reasons could contribute to the link between marital status and greater susceptibility to coronary events, including differences in the prevalence of traditional CV risk factors, better prospects in the prehospital phase because of earlier intervention, and better treatment once in hospital and after discharge.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.