Heart attack deaths halved in the last decade
Researchers at Oxford University have announced the findings of a recent study that suggests the death rate from heart attacks has halved in the last decade in England.
The study, which was published in the British Medical Journal, looked at 800,000 men and women who suffered heart attacks between 2002 and 2010. The researchers found that fewer heart attacks occurred in later years and, of those that did occur, fewer were fatal. Death rates over the 8-year period fell by 50% in men and by 53% in women, with a declining mortality rate seen in all age groups and for both sexes. The researchers have cited healthcare improvements and better prevention measures as potential reasons for the decline.
The British Heart Foundation have expressed their delight with these findings, particularly as they come off the back of a high-profile advertising campaign starring Vinnie Jones (see the video below). In response to the findings, Prof Peter Weissberg, medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said, “This impressive fall in death rates is due partly to prevention of heart attacks by better management of risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure and cholesterol and due partly to better treatment of heart attack patients when they reach hospital. But far too many heart attack victims still die from a cardiac arrest before medical help arrives, [which] could be prevented by rapid cardiopulmonary resuscitation.”
It is worth noting, however, that the lowest rate of decline in the occurrence of heart attacks was found in those aged 30 to 54, one of the younger age groups tested. The researchers have said that further research is needed, but they have suggested that rising rates of obesity and diabetes could explain the lack of improvement amongst this age group.
With that in mind, it remains vital, despite these hugely positive findings, to protect yourself should the worst happen. This is of particular importance to expatriates, who can become exposed to varying worldwide medical costs. Healthcare costs differ substantially between countries, but the global trend is that they are very much on the rise. This means that failure to take out sufficient cover is an enormous risk – do you really wish to end up being operated on in a hospital below western standards, being transfused with tainted blood or paying a huge sum for an emergency airlift? Social health insurance services can’t always be relied upon to keep pace with the ever-increasing costs of medical treatment, so arranging private cover to protect you and your family is of crucial importance.
As expatriate specialists, William Russell offer a range of comprehensive, portable health insurance plans to give you complete reassurance. With a caring and efficient service, we will provide the peace of mind that should you be unfortunate enough to encounter either a heart attack or any other serious health problem, you would be fully covered. Click here to read more about our health insurance plans, or feel free to get in touch for more information – call +44 1276 486477 or complete an online enquiry form here.
Source – BBC News 27 Jan 12
