Risk factors associated with myocardial infarction among patients at Uganda heart institute, Mulago National referral hospital in Uganda

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a leading cause of death globally, with ischemic heart disease (IHD) accounting for 9.1 million deaths in 2019. In Uganda, cardiovascular diseases, including MI, are contributing to an increasing burden on the healthcare system. The prevalence of MI in the country is not well-documented, though reports suggest a growing incidence, particularly in urban areas. The objective of this study was to investigate the factors associated with myocardial infarction at Mulago Heart Institute, Uganda. The study utilized retrospective analysis of 615 patients from Uganda Heart Institute records between January 2015 and December 2019. A logistic regression model was employed to identify the factors associated with myocardial infarction. The prevalence of myocardial infarction among patients at Uganda Heart Institute during the study period was 56.8%. Significant factors found to influence the occurrence of myocardial infarction included advanced patients age particularly among individuals aged 65–74 years (OR = 6.37; 95% CI = 2.27–17.08; p = 0.000) and 75–84 years (OR = 12.97; 95% CI = 4.54–37.09; p = 0.000), female gender (OR = 0.36; 95% CI = 0.13–0.79; p = 0.013) and rural residence (OR = 0.11; 95% CI = 0.05–0.24; p = 0.001). Furthermore, patients with obesity (OR = 1.67; 95% CI = 1.12–2.48; p = 0.031) being overweight (OR = 0.78; 95% CI = 0.43–0.95; p = 0.025), having high blood pressure (OR = 8.12; 95% CI = 4.05–16.29; p = 0.000), not having diabetes (OR = 0.08; 95% CI = 0.04–0.26; p = 0.000), inactive physical exercises (OR = 1.99; 95% CI = 1.72–2.29; p = 0.000), tobacco use (OR = 1.61; 95% CI = 1.30–1.99; p = 0.001) and heavy alcohol use (OR = 1.07; 95% CI = 0.81–1.61; p = 0.016) were also associated with occurrence of myocardial infarction. These findings underscore the importance of addressing these risk factors through public health interventions, particularly focusing on blood pressure management, promoting physical activity, and reducing tobacco and alcohol consumption especially in urban areas, to mitigate the growing burden of myocardial infarction in Uganda.