[Ischaemic heart disease]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Context:

• Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent a significant public health burden in Spain.
• In 2011, CVDs accounted for 31.2% of all deaths and were the leading cause of hospitalization (14.1%).
• Specific conditions like acute coronary syndrome and ischaemic heart disease contribute substantially to morbidity and healthcare utilization.

Purpose:

• To analyze the epidemiological trends and healthcare costs associated with cardiovascular diseases in Spain.
• To assess the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and medication use in patients with ischaemic heart disease.
• To evaluate changes in hospitalization rates and mortality over time.

Summary:

• In 2011, cardiovascular diseases caused approximately 115,752 cases of acute coronary syndrome and led to 14.1% of total hospitalizations in Spain.
• Hospitalization rates for ischaemic heart disease decreased by 24.4% from 2003 to 2011, and mortality rates showed a relative reduction of 7-8% in women and men respectively between 2007-2011.
• Despite these improvements, a European survey (EUROASPIREIII) indicated high prevalence of uncontrolled risk factors (hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity) and ongoing smoking among ischaemic heart disease patients.

Impact:

• The findings highlight a positive trend in reducing cardiovascular mortality and hospitalizations, yet underscore the persistent challenge of managing risk factors.
• Understanding these trends is crucial for public health policy and resource allocation in cardiovascular disease prevention and management.
• The study provides valuable data on the economic impact, with average hospitalization costs for ischaemic heart disease increasing significantly from 1997 to 2011.