Acute myocardial infarction in Estonia: First results from the Tallinn AMI register

Abstract

The acute myocardial infarction (AMI) register of Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, started in 1990. The register follows methodology recommended by the WHO MONICA Project for the registration of coronary events. By standardizing its procedures with the FINMONICA AMI register, the Tallinn AMI register aims at producing data comparable with those of the centers participating in the WHO MONICA Project. This article presents incidence, attack rates, and mortality rates of AMI in Estonia during the first year of registration in Estonians and non-Estonians (mostly Russians) of the study area. The total number of registered AMI events was 493 among men and 117 among women. The age-standardized mortality from AMI (per 100,000 population) was 249 (95% confidence interval, 201–297) in Estonian men and 234 (189–279) in non-Estonian men. In women the corresponding rates were 35 (20–50) and 39 (23–55), respectively. The incidence and attack rate of AMI were not different in Estonians and non-Estonians. The incidence of AMI seems to be relatively high in international comparison. The registration period of our study is thus far rather short, but it is the first investigation of the incidence of AMI in Estonia based on standardized data collection procedures. This study provides a basis for the development of surveillance of cardiovascular disease in Estonia.