Abstract
OBJECTIVES: to investigate the prevalence of myocardial infarction and its association with cardiovascular risk factors in older adults in Primary Care. METHODS: this cross-sectional study involves 1,322 older adults assisted in Basic Health Units in the northernmost part of Brazil. Data were collected in 2020, covering information on myocardial infarction, hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, chronic kidney disease, and smoking. RESULTS: myocardial infarction affected 10.5% of older adults, being more common in men (11.4% vs. 9.8%; p=0.327). Diabetes (OR=5.27; p<0.001), hypertension (OR=5.24; p<0.001), kidney disease (OR=5.20; p<0.001), and obesity (OR=2.87; p<0.001) significantly increased the odds of myocardial infarction. CONCLUSIONS: myocardial infarction affected 10% of older adults, and cardiovascular risk factors heightened this probability. Healthy lifestyle promotion and regular health monitoring are essential for its prevention.