Study: Covid-19 guidance may have reduced the risk of heart attack
By: Team Ifairer | Posted: 05-12-2020
Heart It
The findings noted the following observations, published in the Journal of Internal Medicine:
A 10 per cent increase in activity relating to retail and recreation was associated with a 15 per cent increase in heart attack and angina cases -collectively known as an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) - seen at the angiography clinics.
A 10 per cent increase in activity around grocery and pharmacy was linked to a 14 per cent increase in ACS cases.
A 10 per cent increase in activity around the workplace was associated with a 12 per cent increase in ACS cases.
A 10 per cent increase in activity in the home category was linked to a 38 per cent decline in ACS cases.
The researchers say the decline in people attending hospital with a heart attack was seen in other countries, including the UK.
The researchers further said there is no evidence in Sweden that there were bed shortages, higher mortality from heart disease, or changes in quality of care in hospitals. These factors could have driven people not to seek emergency help.
They said: "Self-isolation, working from home, and less rigorous recreational activities may have decreased stress and exertion-induced acute cardiac syndrome in individuals at risk and can possibly explain the decline in the incidence of myocardial infarction (heart attack) as the association between psychological stress and physical exertion and incidence of myocardial infarction/ACS is well established."