Risk profile and prognosis of myocardial infarction in young adults: a comparative study

Sofiene Haboubi; Meriem Ghozzia; Elyes Lagha; Mohamed Amine Soula; Rami Tlili; Meriam Drissa; Youssef Ben Ameur

doi:10.2478/rjc-2026-0017

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Risk profile and prognosis of myocardial infarction in young adults: a comparative study

Romanian Journal of Cardiology

AHEAD OF PRINT

By: Sofiene Haboubi, Meriem Ghozzia, Elyes Lagha, Mohamed Amine Soula, Rami Tlili, Meriam Drissa and Youssef Ben Ameur

Open Access

|Jul 2026

Abstract

Myocardial infarction in young adults is increasingly recognised as a distinct clinical entity, with limited data from North African populations. This study aimed to compare risk profiles and outcomes of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) between young and older patients.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective comparative study including patients who experienced a first STEMI. Patients were stratified into two groups based on an age of 50 years. All data were analysed from medical records, and follow-up was a minimum of 12 months. The primary endpoint was cardiovascular mortality, and the secondary endpoint included a composite of non-fatal myocardial infarction, hospitalisation for acute heart failure and stent thrombosis or restenosis.

Results

Among 206 patients included, younger patients had higher rates of smoking (84.9% vs 60%, p < 0.05), chronic heavy alcohol use (30.2% vs 7%, p < 0.05) and family history of coronary artery disease (22.6% vs 7%, p < 0.05). Cardiovascular mortality was higher in older patients (11% vs 0.9%, p < 0.01), whereas the incidence of cardiovascular events was similar between the two groups (25.5% vs 26%, p = 0.96).

Conclusion

Young STEMI patients have a significant risk of adverse outcomes despite distinct risk profiles, warranting targeted strategies.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/rjc-2026-0017 | Journal eISSN: 2734-6382 | Journal ISSN: 1220-658X

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Language: English

Published on: Jul 8, 2026

Published by: Romanian Society of Cardiology

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: 4 issues per year

Keywords:

myocardial infarction,

coronary artery disease,

Related subjects:

Surgery,

Pediatrics and juvenile medicine,

Paediatric cardiology

© 2026 Sofiene Haboubi, Meriem Ghozzia, Elyes Lagha, Mohamed Amine Soula, Rami Tlili, Meriam Drissa, Youssef Ben Ameur, published by Romanian Society of Cardiology
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

AHEAD OF PRINT