Study finds heart attack significantly increases risk of other health complications

Arecent extensive study conducted by researchers at the University of Leeds reveals alarming findings regarding the aftermath of heart attacks.

Analyzing over 145 million records spanning nine years, the study underscores a significant escalation in the risk of enduring severe long-term health complications subsequent to a heart attack.

Despite advancements in treatment, heart attacks pose a substantial threat, with approximately one-third of patients developing heart or kidney failure, 7% experiencing subsequent heart attacks, and 38% succumbing to any cause within the study period.

The study, supported by The British Heart Foundation and Wellcome, emphasizes the heightened susceptibility of heart attack survivors to various health ailments, including heart failure, atrial fibrillation, stroke, peripheral arterial disease, severe bleeding, kidney failure, type 2 diabetes, and depression.

Notably, individuals from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds face a graver prognosis, being more prone to mortality or the onset of severe health conditions, particularly heart and kidney failure.

Lead author Dr Marlous Hall, Associate Professor of Cardiovascular Epidemiology at Leeds’ School of Medicine and Multimorbidity Research in the Leeds Institute for Data Analytics (LIDA) said: “There are around 1.4 million heart attack survivors in the UK who are at high risk of developing further serious health conditions.

Our study provides accessible online information on the risk of these health outcomes for specific age, sex and socioeconomic deprivation groups so that individuals surviving a heart attack can be well informed about their future risks, in order to support informed healthcare decision-making with their doctor.