
A recent study indicates that individuals experiencing severe pain one year after a heart attack may face an increased likelihood of mortality within the subsequent eight years. The frequency of heart attacks in the United States is approximately every 40 seconds, as reported by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While heart disease, including heart attacks, is the leading cause of death in the US, most individuals survive their initial heart attack and proceed to lead normal lives, as per information from the American Heart Association.
The research, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association on August 17, reveals that even those who reported extreme pain one year after their heart attack, even if the pain was unrelated to heart issues, were more than twice as likely to pass away during the 8½-year study period. Therefore, both doctors and patients should closely monitor pain during the months following a heart attack, emphasize the researchers.
Though survival rates after heart attacks have improved over the years, little research has explored the impact of pain on post-heart attack mortality. In this study, scientists examined health data from 18,376 heart attack patients under 75 years old, tracked through a Swedish registry between 2004 and 2013. The patients completed questionnaires assessing their pain levels during follow-up appointments, although the duration of pain was not addressed.
Pain was a common experience among heart attack survivors. At two months after their heart attack, 65% reported some level of pain. By one year, this number had decreased, with about 45% reporting moderate or extreme pain. Even at the moderate pain level, individuals seemed to be at an elevated risk of serious health complications.
In comparison to participants who did not report pain, those reporting moderate pain exhibited a 35% higher likelihood of death from any cause during the follow-up period. Remarkably, pain appeared to be a more significant indicator of mortality risk than factors like tobacco use.
The precise reason for the link between pain and mortality remains unclear. Dr. George Dangas, an interventional cardiologist at Mount Sinai Hospital and chief of cardiology at Mount Sinai Queens in New York City, speculates that pain might serve as a marker for inflammation. He suggests that pain could potentially exacerbate broader bodily systems, including adverse effects on the cardiovascular system.
Moreover, individuals taking medication for severe pain could face potentially lethal side effects. Many pain relievers, including over-the-counter options, carry an increased risk of cardiovascular problems. Additionally, pain might discourage lifestyle changes that could reduce the risk of subsequent heart attacks, such as engaging in regular exercise.
Dr. Dangas notes that this new study should prompt doctors to pay particular attention to heart attack patients who mention pain. He emphasizes the significance of a basic pain assessment in the medical evaluation.
The study’s findings highlight three demographic groups more likely to report extreme pain: women, nonsmokers, and those with diabetes. Dr. Dangas advises doctors not to overlook these specific patients when they discuss severe pain.
For patients, honesty with healthcare providers about their well-being, including any pain experienced, is essential. Following a heart attack, individuals often undergo cardiac rehabilitation, where they receive supervised exercise guidance for recovery and heart health, nutritional education, stress reduction strategies, and counseling to manage potential post-heart attack depression. According to a 2016 study, cardiac rehabilitation can reduce the risk of death in the five years after a heart attack by around 35%.
Especially for heart attack survivors experiencing pain, lifestyle changes like these are crucial, as stated by medical professionals. Dr. Linda Vixner, co-author of the study and an associate professor of medical science at the School of Health and Welfare at Dalarna University in Falun, Sweden, underscores the importance of reducing other risk factors like smoking, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels for patients dealing with pain.