Nearly All Heart Attack Victims Exhibit Prior Warning Signs, Major study Finds
London, UK – A comprehensive analysis of over 9.7 million individuals across South Korea and the United states reveals that a staggering 99 percent of people who suffered a coronary heart attack had at least one identifiable risk factor beforehand, with over 93 percent exhibiting two or more. The research,conducted by teams at Northwestern Medicine and Yonsei University,underscores the critical importance of preventative cardiovascular health measures.
The study, utilizing the American Heart Association’s criteria for ideal cardiovascular health, pinpointed four key risk factors: current or past tobacco use, blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg or higher, cholesterol levels of 200 mg/dL or greater, and a fasting glucose level of 100 mg/dL or higher. High blood pressure emerged as the most prevalent warning sign, affecting over 95 percent of those who ultimately experienced a heart attack.
Researchers examined regular health screening data spanning up to two decades. A fasting glucose level, the study explains, measures blood sugar after an overnight fast and is frequently used in diabetes diagnoses. The findings highlight the potential for early intervention and lifestyle changes to significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, a leading cause of death globally.
Heart attacks account for approximately 100,000 hospital admissions annually in the UK, and coronary heart disease – a condition where arteries narrow – is responsible for roughly 66,000 premature deaths each year, according to a recent British Heart Foundation report. This new data reinforces the urgency of addressing these modifiable risk factors to improve cardiovascular health outcomes.
