Dengue in childhood can increase early heart attack risk

"It could (also) be that infection modifies cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and leads to ACS," Qanitha noted.

This was a population-based case-control study of 153 patients with a first acute coronary syndromes (ACS) or heart attacks before the age of 56 years and 153 age- and sex-matched controls with no history of ACS in Makassar, Indonesia.

Severe infection was defined as fever for three days or more, or hospitalisation due to infectious disease.

The researchers used a detailed questionnaire and interviews with patients and controls, plus family members, to obtain information on history of infection during four periods of early life: infancy and pre-school (zero-five years), elementary school (six-13 years), junior high school (14-17 years), and senior high school (18-21 years).

The researchers found that infection experienced in childhood and adolescence was associated with a three-fold higher occurrence of premature heart attack later in life.

"Our findings may apply to other countries in South-East Asia where infectious disease is still prevalent," Qanitha noted.

The study is scheduled to be presented at an Acute Cardiovascular Care Association meeting to be held from October 17 -19 October in Vienna, Austria.