Heart attack survivors have an increased chance of health issues. A recent study found alarming long-term health effects after heart attacks.
Leeds University researchers found worrisome consequences of heart attack. The British Heart Foundation and Wellcome-supported analysis of over 145 million records over nine years found a considerable increase in the likelihood of serious long-term health problems after a heart attack. Despite medical advances, one-third of patients had heart or renal failure, 7% had additional heart attacks, and 38% died from any reason during the study.
The study stresses heart attack survivors’ increased risk of heart failure, atrial fibrillation, stroke, peripheral artery disease, severe hemorrhage, renal failure, type 2 diabetes, and depression. Poor people are more likely to die or get serious illnesses like heart and renal failure.
The study of 229 NHS Trusts in England found significant health disparities between heart attack survivors and a control group. Heart failure is the most common post-heart attack consequence, involving approximately 30% of survivors within nine years versus 9.8% in that group. Compared to 19.8% in the control group, 27.2% of study patients suffered kidney failure. 22.3% of the study group developed atrial fibrillation, compared to 16.8% of the control group, and 17% had new diabetic hospitalization, compared to 14.3%. Also included were severe bleeding, cerebrovascular illness, peripheral arterial disease, and mortality from any cause.
The study also found that 8.9% of post-heart attack hospitalization records showed depression, 6% more than the control group. No difference in dementia risk after a heart attack was identified compared to the control group.
Professor Bryan Williams of the British Heart Foundation stresses the long-term effects of heart attacks, including the increased risk of heart failure and atrial fibrillation. Understanding and resolving post-heart attack health issues is increasingly important for patient care and well-being as survival rates rise.
Conclusion
Leeds University researchers found severe long-term health risks after heart attacks. One-third of patients suffered heart or renal failure, 7% had additional heart attacks, and 38% died from any cause over the nine-year trial. Heart attack survivors are more likely to develop heart failure, atrial fibrillation, stroke, peripheral artery disease, severe bleeding, kidney failure, type 2 diabetes, and depression. Poor people have a worse prognosis, with greater heart and renal failure. The study emphasizes the need for further support and monitoring to reduce these risks.
