In a new study, researchers suggest that people should not ignore heart attack symptoms while traveling and should keep emergency number at hand.
The research was conducted by researchers from Juntendo University Shizuoka Hospital, Japan.
Previous studies have shown that heart disease is the leading cause of natural death among people who are traveling.
In the current study, the team examined 2,564 patients who had a heart attack and rapid treatment with a stent between 1999 and 2015.
These people were followed up for 16 years and the researchers compared the health data in residents versus people traveling.
They found 192 patients were traveling at the onset of the heart attack.
People who were traveling were younger and had a higher prevalence of serious heart attack symptoms.
Patients more likely to die during follow-up if they were older, had a prior heart attack or had chronic kidney disease.
The team also found heart attacks during a trip were linked to a 42% lower risk of long-term all-cause death than those that occurred in residents.
On the contrary, local patients had a higher rate of non-cardiac death, mainly due to cancer.
The results showed long-term outcomes after a heart attack while traveling can be good if people can get prompt treatment.
The researchers suggest that If you are traveling and experience heart attack symptoms that last for more than 15 minutes, you should call an ambulance immediately.
The symptoms include pain in the chest, throat, neck, back, stomach or shoulders.
It is important that when you are over the immediate emergency phase and return home, you see your doctor.
You need to find out how to reduce the risk of a second heart attack by improving lifestyle habits and taking preventive medication.
For older people who have high blood pressure, smoking habit or obesity, it is very important to ensure you know the emergency number at home and at any travel destination.
The researchers suggest that having a heart attack while away from home is a traumatic event.
It may create a lasting impression and greater health awareness when patients return home and help them take actions.
The lead author of the study is Dr. Ryota Nishio from the Department of Cardiology.
The study is presented today at Acute Cardiovascular Care 2019 a European Society of Cardiology (ESC) congress.
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