1. Risk factors for myocardial infarction during vacation travel.
- Author
-
Kop WJ, Vingerhoets A, Kruithof GJ, and Gottdiener JS
- Subjects
- Adult, Aged, Alcohol Drinking epidemiology, Automobile Driving, Belgium, Case-Control Studies, Coronary Disease complications, Coronary Disease epidemiology, England ethnology, Family, Fatigue complications, Fatigue epidemiology, Fatigue psychology, Female, Humans, Hypertension complications, Hypertension epidemiology, Incidence, Male, Middle Aged, Myocardial Infarction etiology, Myocardial Infarction psychology, Netherlands, Predictive Value of Tests, Residence Characteristics, Risk Factors, Smoking adverse effects, Social Class, Stress, Psychological etiology, Time Factors, Leisure Activities, Myocardial Infarction epidemiology, Travel
- Abstract
Objectives: Medical emergencies occur increasingly outside the usual health care area as a result of increased leisure and professional travel. Acute coronary syndromes are the leading cause of mortality during vacation. Vacation activities include physical and emotional triggers for myocardial infarction (MI). This study examines characteristics of vacation travel as risk factors for MI., Methods: Patients diagnosed with MI during vacation abroad (N = 92; age, 59.5 +/- 10.2; 79 men) were recruited through an emergency health insurance organization. Risk indicators for Vacation MI were examined and included: cardiovascular risk factors, psychosocial measures, and specific demands and activities related to vacation (eg, lodging accommodations, unfamiliar destination, mode of transportation, short-term planning). Vacation MI patients were compared with two reference groups: age-matched Vacation Controls with noncardiovascular medical emergencies (N = 67) and Hospital MI Controls, admitted in their usual health care area (N = 30)., Results: Vacation MI occurred disproportionately (21.1%) during the first 2 days of vacation. Cardiovascular risk factors were more prevalent among Vacation MI patients than Vacation Controls (p values <.05) but not compared with Hospital MI Controls. Vacation MI occurred more often in patients with lower education (OR = 2.4, CI = 1.1-5.2) and those living with a spouse (OR = 2.6, CI = 1.0-7.1) than age-matched Vacation Controls. Compared with Hospital MI Controls, Vacation MI occurred more often among patients traveling by car versus other modes of transportation (OR = 2.5, CI = 1.0-6.1) and among patients staying in a tent or mobile home versus hotel (OR = 9.7, CI = 2.0-47.9)., Conclusion: Incidence of MI during vacation is highest during the first 2 days of vacation. Vacation activities such as adverse driving conditions and less luxurious accommodations may increase risk for MI. Individuals with known vulnerability for MI may therefore benefit from minimizing physical and emotional challenges specifically related to vacation travel.
- Published
- 2003
- Full Text
- View/download PDF