Slovakia Sees Surge in Acute Coronary Syndrome Cases, Despite Declining Mortality Rates
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Despite a important rise in hospitalizations, Slovakia is experiencing encouraging progress in the treatment of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), wiht patient mortality steadily decreasing. New data released by the National Centre for Health Information (NCZI) reveal a 26% increase in ACS cases in 2024 compared to the previous year, but also demonstrate improvements in patient outcomes.
The NCZI reported 6,609 hospitalizations related to ACS involving 6,113 patients throughout 2024. This increase affects both men and women across all age groups, prompting a closer look at regional disparities and underlying risk factors.
Gender and Age Trends in ACS Hospitalizations
The majority of those hospitalized with ACS were men, accounting for 67.5% of all cases. Within this group, the 45- to 64-year-old demographic was most heavily represented. Though, among women, the highest number of hospitalizations occurred in the 65- to 74-year-old age bracket. These findings underscore the importance of targeted preventative measures and early detection strategies tailored to specific populations.
regional Disparities Highlight Healthcare Challenges
Significant regional differences in ACS incidence rates were also identified. The Prešov Region recorded the highest rate, with 180 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, followed by the Košice Region at 146 cases per 100,000. In contrast, the Banskobystrica Region reported a considerably lower rate of 48 cases per 100,000, for both men and women. These disparities suggest potential inequalities in access to healthcare, lifestyle factors, or environmental influences across different regions of Slovakia.
The Value of Thorough Data Collection
“The AKS register provides us with several vital data,” explained a doctor from the Department of Acute Cardiology of the National Institute of Heart and Vascular Diseases.”One of them is, for example, information on the speed of providing acute treatment to patients.” The registry also meticulously tracks treatment types, hospitalization progress, and the occurrence of complications, offering a detailed overview of patient care and survival rates.This comprehensive data collection serves as crucial feedback for improving treatment protocols and optimizing patient outcomes.
High Blood Pressure Remains a Major Risk Factor
Data from the NCZI pinpoint high blood pressure as the most prevalent risk factor for ACS, affecting a staggering 83% of patients. This was closely followed by high cholesterol in 76% of cases and diabetes mellitus in 33%. Experts emphasize that lifestyle choices – including smoking, obesity, lack of physical activity, and untreated hypertension – play a significant role alongside age and genetic predisposition.
Mortality Rates Continue to Fall
Despite the increase in hospitalizations,the long-term trend in mortality rates for patients with ACS is positive. In 2024, the mortality rate within 30 days of hospitalization reached 6%.While this represents overall betterment, the data also revealed a disparity in outcomes, with women experiencing a higher mortality rate (8%) compared to men (5%).
A doctor emphasized the critical importance of seeking immediate medical attention when experiencing symptoms. “We see cases where a
Why: The article explains a 26% increase in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) hospitalizations in Slovakia in 2024 compared to the previous year. This increase is
