Occurrence of acute myocardial infarction in winter tourists: data from a retrospective questionnaire

Abstract

Every year millions of tourists spend their vacation in Tyrol, Austria during the winter season. They often perform sports at high altitudes and at low temperatures, factors that might cause acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study aimed to evaluate the relationship of first physical activity and the onset of AMI in winter tourists. We carried out a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients admitted to the Department of Internal Medicine III at the Medical University of Innsbruck with the diagnosis of an AMI between 2006 and 2010. We identified 172 patients as potential candidates for the questionnaire. We successfully contacted 110 patients (mean age: 60±10years). The location of visit, duration of stay, time of arrival, first sportive activity and onset of symptoms were assessed. During the first 2days of physical activity , 56% of AMIs occurred. In tourists who suffered AMI during, or within 1h after cessation of activity (52%), the mean time from the start of the activity to the onset of symptoms was 2.0±1.7h. 56% of patients performed less than 2.5h of sport per week before their vacation and 70% had ≥2 cardiovascular risk factors. Although the mean planned vacation time was 8.3±3.7days, 39% of the patients suffered from AMI on the day of arrival or the day after. The majority of AMIs in winter tourists happens within the first 2days after arrival and within the first 2days of physical activity.