Heart Attack Treatment Diminished During Pandemic

The predicted number of heart attack cases was compared to predictions if COVID-19 had not occurred to evaluate differences in their volumes.

People undergoing treatment for heart attack cases dramatically dropped by nearly 30% following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and have yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels, as revealed by the new findings from the Ascension Health System’s internal National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR).

What Brings on a Heart Attack?

Heart attack is a medical emergency associated with a high risk for serious complications including death remains the number one cause of death for Americans.

For the best outcomes, seeking care within the first 90 minutes of heart attack symptoms is critical, and delaying care can lead to complications or increased mortality.

Heart Attack - Overview
Heart attack is the death of the heart muscle due to loss of blood supply. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Other names for heart attack include acute myocardial infarction, coronary thrombosis, and coronary occlusion.

‘Heart attack treatment trend increased until pandemic declaration in March 2020 with a rapid decrease nadiring in April 2020 (first COVID surge) until December 2020 (second COVID surge) when a less severe drop occurred.’

Data were abstracted from the Ascension Health System’s internal NCDR CathPCI registry between March 2018 and June 2021 across 42 centers throughout America.

The timing of the COVID-19 pandemic was assessed with county-level COVID prevalence. A segmented regression analysis with a monthly interrupted time-series utilizing a linear regression model to quantify expected heart attack cases before and after the COVID-19 onset was performed.

The segmented regression showed 194 STEMI PCIs done monthly with a month-to-month increase of 2 cases. After pandemic declaration, STEMI PCI decreased by 39 per month.

Tips to Prevent Heart Attacks
Heart Attack occurs when the flow of oxygenated blood to heart muscles is hindered or stopped due to built-up of plaques in coronary arteries. Heart Attack is the No.1 killer among Indians.

“Our network of PCI centers across the country gives us unique access to data that independent centers may not have,” said Manoj Thangam, MD, Interventional Cardiologist at Ascension Texas Cardiovascular in Austin, Texas, and lead author of the study.

Despite rates rising, we’ve never gotten back to our pre-COVID baseline which probably tells us there is still hesitation to come to the hospital despite having a major heart attack.

Ultra-Processed Foods Increase Risk of a Second Heart Attack
High consumption of ultra-processed foods can increases the risk of a second heart attack or a fatal stroke. Follow a balanced diet early in life to prevent heart attacks or stroke. Consume fresh fruits and vegetables and low amounts of processed products.

Researchers note a need for continued analysis of other potential consequences and ramifications of untreated STEMI patients that may result in increased mortality, heart failure, and morbidities in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Holiday Season May Be A Burden To Heart Health
The change in lifestyle, along with travel stress and neglecting medications increase the risk of a heart attack during the holiday season.

Source-Medindia