Abstract
AIM: To examine circadian and weekly variation in the onset of acute myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death.
METHOD: A large population based coronary heart disease register, the ARCOS Study, which is collaborating in the WHO MONICA Project carried out in Auckland, New Zealand, 1983-90. There were 4983 patients aged 25-64 with definite myocardial infarction or coronary death. Main outcome measures--circadian and weekly variation in onset of symptoms of definite myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death.
RESULTS: Surviving patients showed a circadian pattern with a single morning peak in symptom onset (30.0%) while sudden death patients exhibited an afternoon peak (32.5%) and a secondary morning peak (27.6%). Within these two subgroups the circadian pattern was analysed by various risk factors and medications. A weekly variation was found with an increased incidence of onset of symptoms during the weekend and on Monday for surviving patients and a Saturday high (18.6%) for sudden death patients.
CONCLUSIONS: Further investigation of physiological changes within subgroups during the key periods may provide insight into triggering mechanisms and lead to better means for prevention.
METHOD: A large population based coronary heart disease register, the ARCOS Study, which is collaborating in the WHO MONICA Project carried out in Auckland, New Zealand, 1983-90. There were 4983 patients aged 25-64 with definite myocardial infarction or coronary death. Main outcome measures--circadian and weekly variation in onset of symptoms of definite myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death.
RESULTS: Surviving patients showed a circadian pattern with a single morning peak in symptom onset (30.0%) while sudden death patients exhibited an afternoon peak (32.5%) and a secondary morning peak (27.6%). Within these two subgroups the circadian pattern was analysed by various risk factors and medications. A weekly variation was found with an increased incidence of onset of symptoms during the weekend and on Monday for surviving patients and a Saturday high (18.6%) for sudden death patients.
CONCLUSIONS: Further investigation of physiological changes within subgroups during the key periods may provide insight into triggering mechanisms and lead to better means for prevention.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 332-334 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | The New Zealand medical journal |
Volume | 108 |
Publication status | Published - 1995 |
Externally published | Yes |