OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to analyse the mean age of patients registered with acute myocardial infarction.

METHODS: Data were retrieved from the financial database of National Institute of Health Insurance Fund Administration. Patients selected were active inpatients belonging to the main category of cardiovascular diseases with the main diagnosis justifying care being acute myocardial infarction (Type 3) and admitted under code I21 according to the international classification of diseases. Our analysis focused on changes in the mean age of patients according to gender between 2010 and 2017 in Hungary. Data were analysed retrospectively using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS: During the period in focus, a total 157,876 patients were registered at active inpatient institutions with acute myocardial infarction. Mean age was 67.32 years, 71.23 years for females and 64.50 years for males. Regarding mean age, a continuous increase was observable between 2010-2014 and a minimal fluctuation from 2015. The lowest value was seen in 2010 (66.85 years), the highest in 2014 (67.65 years). The mean age of females exceeded that of males in all the years analysed with an average of 6.74 years. The mean age of both the females and the males (63.86 vs. 70.85 years) was found to be the lowest in 2010. The highest value in males was found in 2014 (64.86 years) and in females in 2015 (71.68 years).

CONCLUSIONS: Changes observed in the mean age of patients show correlation, at certain points, with expected healthy life years and average life expectancy at birth, in Hungary. Mean ages of males and females show significant differences, consequently, the implementation of preventive measures in the case of the male target group is of pivotal importance.