Progress in treatment and faster use of emergency medical services have made it possible in fifteen years to significantly reduce the number of deaths from heart attacks. Good news for the opening in Paris of the European Cardiology Days.
The vital prognosis of a heart attack, which affects 100,000 French people each year, continues to improve. According to the latest figures presented at the European Days of the French Society of Cardiology (JESFC), in Paris, we went from a mortality rate of 13.7% in the 30 days following the infarction in 1995 to 5% in 2010 These data come from the FAST-MI register which has regularly observed since 1995 who are the French victims of heart attacks and how they are taken care of wherever they are in the territory.
This information makes it possible in particular to refine prevention messages. Thus, specialists are warning women smokers more and more about the risks they pose to their hearts because, over the past 15 years, the most significant development has been the increase in the proportion of women under 50 among the heart attack victims. The heart attack still has too much the image of a disease of men while women have today also adopted a lifestyle with a high risk of heart attack: diet high in fat, smoking and lack of activity. physical.
On the other hand, the news is good on the side of care and heart attacks are 3 times less deadly than 15 years ago. Techniques that quickly unblock blocked coronary arteries have made great progress. 4 out of 5 patients now benefit from angioplasty. The blocked artery is gradually dilated using a small inflatable balloon to deposit a spring, a stent, which keeps it open. This technical gesture is performed in intensive cardiological care units, specialized centers now spread across the country.
Prof. Nicolas Danchin, cardiologist at the Georges Pompidou European Hospital, Paris: “Almost all patients now arrive in specialized centers”
Progress in the management of infarction also comes from patients who better recognize the first symptoms and call for help more quickly. But only one in 2 patients directly calls 15, which is the best entry point for optimal care. Many still lose precious minutes by first calling their general practitioner, who is in charge of calling the Samu. However, it is estimated that a minute saved is 10% more chance of survival.
Prof. Nicolas Danchin : “One in two patients calls less than an hour and a quarter after the onset of symptoms”
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