NSTEMI in the context of cardiovascular risk factors and co-morbidities

Abstract

Mr A.N., a 59-year-old male, was referred to casualty by a health centre physician, following the complaint of two episodes of worsening exertional chest pain. He is a known case of hypertension, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and smokes 1 pack of cigarettes daily. Following appropriate investigations such as electrocardiogram (ECG), cardiac biomarkers and echocardiography, the patient was diagnosed with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). The patient is now stable on treatment; however, his overall cardiovascular risk remains high due to factors such as smoking, uncontrolled type 2 diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia. This case highlights the importance of measuring global cardiovascular risk since this has important treatment and follow-up implications; importantly, ischaemic heart disease can be primarily or secondarily prevented through non- pharmacological or pharmacological alteration of the cardiovascular risk factors.