Introduction:
Socioeconomic status (SES) has the influence on the course and prognosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Aim:
Assessment of the effect of certain socioeconomic factors on the incidence of cardiovascular complications of ACS during hospitalization and 3-month follow-up.

Material and methods:
Patients enrolled in the study had ACS, diagnosed by ECG changes, positive markers of myocardial damage and angiography: ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and unstable angina (UA). Patients were given questionnaires regarding place of residence, education, occupation, and work status. The incidence of complications of ACS during hospitalization and 3-month follow-up was evaluated.

Results and discussion:
The study included 160 subjects (30 female and 130 male) aged 57.6 ± 9.4 years. 70% of patients had STEMI, 18% NSTEMI, and 12% UA. In the study group 72% of patients lived in cities, 57.5% of patients had primary or vocational education. Men significantly more frequently had primary and vocational education in comparison with women (P < 0.005). 48% of patients were active workers, 66% of whom had physical work. The remaining subjects (52%) were not working with disability pension (25%) and retirement pension (75%). Men were significantly more frequently on pension than women (P < 0.033). Complications of ACS during hospitalization were observed in 56 patients (35%), after 3-month follow-up in 26 (16%) patients. Having a job before the occurrence of ACS correlates with a higher incidence of complications both during hospitalization and a 3-month follow-up (P < 0.04).

Conclusions:
High rates of unemployment in Warmia and Mazury Province probably force patients to return to work shortly after ACS episode.