From the Guidelines
Approximately 30-50% of first heart attacks are fatal, with about half of these deaths occurring within the first 2 hours. This high initial mortality rate is a significant concern, and it is essential to recognize the warning signs of a heart attack, which include chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, pain in the arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach, and nausea or lightheadedness 1. The fatality rate is higher among certain populations, and it increases with age. Many of these deaths occur before the person can reach a hospital, often within the first hour after symptoms begin.
Some key points to consider:
- The overall fatality of acute heart attacks in the first month is between 30% and 50% 1
- About half of these deaths occur within the first 2 hours 1
- The in-hospital mortality has decreased significantly over the years, from 25-30% to 6-7%, due to improved treatments and care 1
- Risk factors for heart attacks include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, and family history of heart disease
- Preventive measures such as regular exercise, a heart-healthy diet, not smoking, maintaining healthy weight, and controlling conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes can significantly reduce the risk of experiencing a heart attack
It's worth noting that while the mortality rate for heart attacks has decreased over the years, it is still a significant concern, and prompt recognition and treatment are essential to improve outcomes 1. The most recent study suggests that the overall mortality rate after an AMI is still around 7.8% at 30 days 1.
From the Research
Fatalities from First Heart Attacks
- There are no research papers provided that directly answer the question of what percentage of first heart attacks are fatal 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- The provided studies focus on antithrombotic therapy, primary percutaneous coronary intervention, and the use of antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants for cardiovascular disease, but do not provide data on the fatality rate of first heart attacks.
- To determine the percentage of first heart attacks that are fatal, additional research and studies would be necessary, focusing specifically on the outcomes of initial myocardial infarctions.