Ischemic heart disease (IHD) occurring at age less than 55 in men and less than 65 years in women is designated as premature IHD. However, in different studies these age limits vary from 35 years to 65 years. Among the population of working age in the Russian Federation mortality from IHD is several times higher than in the US and Europe. Patients with premature IHD differ from the elderly in structure of risk factors, clinical manifestations and prognosis. Smoking, obesity and family history of premature IHD are more common in young patients with IHD while diabetes and hypertension are less common.
Keywords: clinical courseе; epidemiology; genetic risk factors; ischemic heart disease; myocardial infarction; pathogenesis; premature coronary artery disease; prognosis; risk factors.