Death rates from heart attacks continue to be high outside hospital

Fatality in the community from acute coronary events has not been reported in England and Wales for more than 25 years. In the UK heart attack study all cases of acute myocardial infarction inside and outside hospital in people under 75 years of age were recorded during 1994-5 in three districts. On p 1065 the authors show that 45% of the 3523 events were fatal, 74% of these fatal events happening outside hospital. An age gradient was seen, such that 91% of fatal events occurred outside hospital in people under 55 compared with 70% in people aged 65-74. Reduction in fatality from coronary heart disease may be best achieved by upgrading resuscitation services outside hospital and by better implementation of secondary prevention.


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Relevant Article

Fatality outside hospital from acute coronary events in three British health districts, 1994-5
R M Norris on behalf of the United Kingdom Heart Attack Study Collaborative Group
BMJ 1998 316: 1065-1070. [Abstract] [Full Text]

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