Cardiovascular diseases, particularly coronary artery disease (CAD), continue to occupy a prominent position with regard to morbidity and mortality in the modern world. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI), the main pathology resulting from acute myocardial ischemia, persists with significant mortality rates in both developed and developing countries, despite significant advances in established protocols aimed at myocardial reperfusion. Diagnosis of AMI, as well as its subtypes, has been consistently updated through consensus. These updates have aimed to provide uniformity in the diagnosis and treatment of the pathology, in an attempt to reduce the disastrous impact of this disease on the population.

The concept of cardiovascular risk factors is linked to the development of coronary atherosclerosis and was developed from the Framingham Heart Studies in the United States, which began during the 1940s. Questions remained, however, as to whether these risk factors were common across all continents. Subsequently, a case-control study demonstrated that such risk factors were associated with the appearance of a first AMI, in all countries, irrespective of the country’s level of development. The study also concluded that a healthy diet with fruits and vegetables, moderate consumption of alcohol, regular physical activity, and a reduction of stress and depression all proved to be protective factors against AMI. Furthermore, understanding the sociodemographic factors that are possibly involved in the occurrence of AMI as a cause of hospitalization and in-hospital death may be of assistance in planning public health policies, directing attention toward segments of the population of interest.

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