Upper respiratory infections increase risk
Your patients with chronic upper respiratory tract infections are more likely to be at pronounced risk for myocardial infarction, a recent Finnish study showed.1 People who visited a doctor four or more times a year for respiratory problems were compared to those who saw a doctor less often. Investigators believe the increased risk is because infections cause a reversible endothelial dysfunction which disturbs the dilation capacity of arteries.
Reference
1. Penttinen J, Valonen P. The risk of myocardial infarction among Finnish farmers seeking medical care for an infection. Am J Public Health 1996; 86:1,440-1,442.
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