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The problems in controlling heart disease among elementary, junior and senior high school students--an analysis of
Insights
Senior high school students and males face higher heart disease mortality rates. While overall deaths decrease, sudden cardiac deaths are increasing, especially in severe cases, necessitating improved emergency programs.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Cardiac conditions pose a significant risk to student populations.
- Understanding mortality trends in pediatric cardiac patients is crucial for public health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze cardiac fatal cases among elementary, junior, and senior high school students in Osaka.
- To identify risk factors and trends in student cardiac mortality.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of cardiac fatal cases in Osaka school students.
- Stratification of mortality rates by age group, sex, and heart disease type.
- Examination of trends in mortality and causes of sudden death.
Main Results:
- Mortality rates are higher in senior high school students and males compared to younger students and females.
- Cardiomyopathy shows the highest mortality rate, followed by valvular and congenital heart diseases.
- Congenital heart disease accounts for over half of all cardiac deaths.
- While overall mortality is decreasing, sudden cardiac deaths have increased, particularly in moderate to severe cases.
- One-third of sudden cardiac deaths had no identifiable triggers.
Conclusions:
- Targeted interventions and supervision are needed for high-risk students, especially those with severe cardiac conditions.
- The rise in sudden cardiac deaths highlights the need for enhanced emergency preparedness and response programs.
- Preventing all sudden cardiac deaths may be challenging, emphasizing the importance of robust emergency medical services.
Abstract:
An analysis of cardiac fatal cases from elementary, junior and senior high school students of Osaka revealed the following features: 1) The mortality rate of the cardiacs under the heart disease program is two times as high in senior high school students as in elementary school and junior high school students. The same rate for males is significantly higher than the rate for females. 2) The mortality rate according to types of heart disease is the highest among cardiomyopathy. This rate is followed by the rates for acquired valvular heart disease, for unoperated congenital heart disease and for operated congenital heart disease in that order. However, the actual number of fatal case is largest among those with congenital heart disease exceeding more than half of the total number of deaths. 3) Recently the mortality rate showes a decreasing tendency. The number of deaths due to chronic congestive heart failure has decreased, but sudden deaths have increased. 4) Sudden deaths are mostly encountered in moderate or severe cardiac cases. Therefore, it is mandatory to accurately locate the cases with high potentiality for sudden death and to place them under proper supervision. 5) In one third of the cases of sudden death, no significant physical or behavioral causes were found to trigger the death. It seems to be difficult to prevent all the sudden deaths, therefore, it is important to establish successful emergency programs.