Introduction & Objective : In recent studies on cardiovascular diseases, selenium has received increasing attention. It is argued that selenium can protect the cells by inhibiting peroxidation of lipids and tissue damage and can increase the immunological mechanisms by inhibiting mutagenic processes. The aim of this study was to determine the serum selenium level and its relation to myocardial infarction patients in Kermanshah, Iran.

Materials & Methods : A descriptive study was designed in that serum selenium levels of 124 patients (106 males and 18 females) with history of myocardial infarction were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry technique.

Results : The means of serum Se in males and females were 80.58µg/l and 80.78 µg/l respectively, which showed no significant differences between the two genders.

The amount of serum Se in this study was in the same range of other studies in different countries, however another research in Kermanshah has shwon a high serum selenium level (104µg/l)for normal individuals (P<0.001).

Conclusion: According to the results, we recommend further studies on the role of selenium in cardiovascular diseases and on determining the base level of selenium in nutritions and various population.