Tonsil and appendix surgery in youth increases risk of early heart attack

The surgical removal of the appendix and tonsils before the age of 20 is associated with an increased risk of premature heart attack, according to a large Swedish population study. Tonsillectomy increased the risk by 44% and appendectomy by 33%. The risk increases were just statistically significant, and were even higher when the tonsils and appendix were both removed. However, there was no risk association evident when the operations were performed in people over the age of 20.