Pain after experiencing a heart attack could potentially increase the risk of death in the next eight years, according to a recent study. The research suggests that the presence of pain, not necessarily heart pain, one year after a heart attack is associated with a higher likelihood of long-term survival issues. The impact of pain on death rates following a heart attack had not been extensively studied before this research.
The study, which was published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, analyzed the health data of over 18,300 adults who had experienced a heart attack and were registered in the Swedish registry called SWEDEHEART. The study found that nearly 45% of the participants reported experiencing moderate or extreme pain one year after their heart attack.
The results indicated that patients who reported moderate pain were 35% more likely to die from any cause during the study’s 8.5-year period, compared to those who did not experience pain. Additionally, participants with extreme pain were more than twice as likely to die during the study period when compared to heart attack survivors who did not report pain.
Of the participants who reported pain at the two-month follow-up, about 65% still experienced pain at the 12-month follow-up, indicating persistent and long-term pain. The study suggests that assessing and recognizing pain as an important risk factor for future mortality is crucial after a heart attack, as severe pain can hinder rehabilitation and participation in activities that protect the heart.
Reducing other risk factors, such as smoking, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels, is particularly important for patients experiencing pain after a heart attack. The researchers also recommend that doctors consider the presence of moderate or extreme pain when recommending treatment and making prognoses for heart attack patients.
It is worth noting that the data used for the study came from follow-up questionnaires completed two months and one year after the patients’ heart attacks. The average age of the patients was 62, and they had experienced heart attacks between 2005 and 2013. However, as the study only included individuals from Sweden, the results may not be directly applicable to people in other countries.
In conclusion, this study highlights the significance of pain as an indicator of long-term survival after a heart attack. By recognizing and addressing the presence of pain in heart attack patients, healthcare professionals can potentially improve outcomes and reduce the risk of mortality in the years following the event.
Heart attacks occur frequently, with one happening every 40 seconds in the United States alone, according to the American Heart Association. The findings of this study contribute to the ongoing efforts to understand and manage the long-term consequences of heart attacks, ultimately improving patient care and outcomes.
