The Term of Myocardial Infarction - Essay Example

0 Introduction Heart Attack is known as myocardial infarction (Lee, . This is a medical situation where the blood flow is blocked for a longtime leading to damage or death of muscles. Myocardial infarction is gaining global attention in terms of the increasing number of cases occurring across the globe. Life style changes including changes in food habits and lack of physical exertion largely contribute to the increase in the occurrence of myocardial infarction. The statistics on myocardial infarction in Australia are suggesting alarming observations. This essay will analyze the prevalence of myocardial infarction in Australia. It has been reported that myocardial infarction along with other cardiovascular diseases forms the most health problems in Australia (Loannides-Demos et al, 2010). In terms of the cost incurred on the treatment, these diseases are accounted as the most expensive health problems in Australia. It has been estimated that out of the total budget allocated by the state for health care, about 11% was spent on cardiovascular diseases in year 2004-2005 (AIHW, 2008). It must be noted here that, this is an increase of 18% within 5 years. This suggests the increasing incurrence of heart attacks in the country (AIHW, 2008). Taking into account the share of heart diseases in the total mortality and disability in Australia, it has been recorded to be very high. In the year 2003, this was accounted to be 18% of the total disease incurrence in the country. By the year 2005, this steeply increased to a state that out of all deaths that occurred in Australia in 2006, 34 percent was due to cardiovascular diseases (AIHW, 2008). A majority of these patients, which accounted to more than 80%, belonged to an age group above 50 years.(AIHW, 2008). However, this observation is globally relevant as it has been generally accepted by researchers that the exposure to heart attacks increases with age. It has also been observed that majority of patients with myocardial infarction are male (AIHW, 2008). Detection & Management strategies There are no accurate systems available to directly count the number of cases of heart attacks at national level. An indirect method of statistical analysis of death data and national hospital data is followed to estimate the incurrence of heart attacks. There have been considerable improvements in the statistical estimation and detection techniques in relation with the medical condition (AIHW, 2011). The diagnostic techniques and the clinical practices have been developed tremendously over the years. It has been estimated that from 1993 to 2008 there has been an increase of 79.5% in the occurrence of Heart attacks (AIHW, 2011). There were more than 50000 hospitalizations with complaints of heart (AIHW, 2011). The data following table shows suggests the importance of the medical condition as a large contributor towards the deaths in Australia. Deaths due to Heart failure in Australia Year No of deaths Rank in terms of mortality 2001 3128 8 2005 2739 12 2010 3468 9 Source : ABS (2010) The diagnosis of heart attack is critical in its treatment. It has been scientifically established that the time taken in receiving medical care is a strong determinant of the success of the treatment.The success of treatments depends to a large extend on the time taken for the patient to receive medical attention (Dracup, McKinley& Moser, 233). Thus, it is very important that the Australian public is aware of the symptoms of a heart failure. People must be educated and empowered to identify the signs of heart attack and seek medical care at the earliest. The most common symptoms of heart attack are pressure, pain and uneasiness in parts of the upper body. The upper body parts including Jaw, back, arms, chest and shoulders will experience tightness and pain (Heart Foundation, 2012). Profuse sweating may also occur as a preliminary symptom of heart attack. Other symptoms include nausea, dizziness and light-headed feeling (Heart Foundation, 2012). There could be difficulties in breathing. It is very important that on observation of these symptoms together or individually, medical health must be sought immediately. Agencies like heart foundation provide services to help patients receive heath care support. Ambulance services must be availed using the centralized calling system for quick access to medical help. The incurrence of heart attack is confirmed using three different tests. Electrocardiogram, more popularly known as ECG basically is the readings on the electrical impulses created by the heart (Heart Foundation, 2012). Stress ECG is used to confirm the probability of a heart failure at over strained conditions. So as to cross check the constitutional changes in the blood, as a result of damages in the heart muscles, a blood test is done (Heart Foundation, 2012). Detailed confirmation of cardiac vascular damages is done using angiogram or cardiac catherisation, which is basically an x ray investigation of the coronary arteries (Heart Foundation, 2012). The medical treatment of heart attacks have been developed so much that the mortality rate due to this particular medical condition has come down extensively in Australia. The primary treatment approach is to give medicines so as to dissolve the clots in the coronary artery. In advances cases, angioplasmy and stent implantation is done wherein the blocked artery is opened and a stent is implanted across the block (Heart Foundation, 2012). Another treatment approach is bypass surgery where the blood flow is redirected through other arteries, while the clot removal is done. Abnormal heart rhythms are managed by implanting cardiac defibrillators. For patients who are prone to incurrence of heart attacks, long term medicine is advised (Senes&Penm, 2007). Prevention strategies prevalent in Australia There have been major advancements in the national policies followed to prevent the incurrence of heart attacks. Extensive campaigns aiming at prevention of heart attacks were carried out by the heath care agencies in the country. The heath care policy of Australia has acknowledged the role of prevention to achieve long term management success in the case of heart attack. As the risk factors associated with heart attack are interrelated with each other, the management of each of these risk factors would help in the aversion of cardiovascular diseases (NPHP, 2005). It must be noted here that the aversion of one risk factor would automatically result in the reduction of other risk factors. Thus the policy on heart attack management in Australia has to emphasize on campaigns aiming at limiting the risk factors associated with cardiac diseases. The major risk factors of heart attacks determined by National Public Health Partnership are Demographic and hereditary factors including age, sex and family history of CVD disease , Physiological risk factors including; high blood pressure/ hypertension, overweight and obesity, high blood cholesterol, elevated blood lipids, non-valvular atrial fibrillation, transient ischemic attack, atrial fibrillation and diabetes mellitus along with behavioral factors like poor nutrition, tobacco smoking , physical inactivity and high consumption of alcohol(NPHP, 2005). “Many case-control studies have shown the frequency of myocardial infarction to be two to four times higher in first-degree relatives of patients with myocardial infarction than among first-degree relatives of healthy control subjects (Barrett, &Khaw,1984, p.1068).” All these factors will have to be addressed individually which would mutually contribute towards the management of heart attack. For instance, policies to encourage physical activity would automatically reduce the risks of obesity and blood pressure. 2.0 The cost involved In terms of the cost of treatment it is very high. A research based in New South Wales found that the average cost of treatment for a myocardial infarction patient along with 12 months of follow-up treatment is 4937 Australian Dollars (AIHW, 2009). Out of the total cost 53% was on the hospitalization expenses, 7% on the Medicare benefits, 6% on continued medicines and 3% on ambulances (Ioannides-Demos et al, 2010). It has been estimated that the health care costs for cardiac diseases are more than other medical condition in Australia. Moreover, this is expected to increase in the years to come. In the year 1993-94 cardiovascular diseases accounted for a direct cost of $3.719 million (NPHP, 2005). This is a very large proportion of the total health care of Australia. When the cost for the management of risk factors associated with heart disease is also added to this, it becomes a very large cost. The medical care funding system in Australia has different streams of operation. More than 40 percent of Australian citizens are covered under private insurance (Pharmaceutical Bene?ts Schedule Item Reports,2007). The cost of medical care and hospitals services are funded by the state (Ademi et al, 2009). The current cost of the “Pharmaceutical Bene?t Scheme (PBS) is approximately AU$6.8 billion per year, of which 84% is met by the federal government and the remainder by patient viaco-payments.” (Ademi et al, 2009) “So the myocardial infarction causes large financial implications to the state referring to Australia.” (Ademi et al, 2009) 3.0 Conclusion It is evident that cases of heart attacks are increasing in Australia, and it costs a lot of money. However, the management of myocardial infarction is becoming efficient with advancements in medical technology. It is very important that the public be made aware of the risk factors and the symptoms of heart attack. This is important because the time taken to receive medical help is critical in determining the efficiency of the treatment. The national policies of Australian Government towards heart attack have undergone major changes all through the years. There have been prioritized approaches to prevent the incurrence of heart attacks. Extensive campaigns towards the prevention and campaigns to make people aware of the risks of heart attacks are carried out by the concerned departments and other organizations in the country. The cost involved in the treatment and management of heart attack in Australia is also large. Taking all these into account, it can be concluded that heart attack as a major health issue needs attention from the people and healthcare agencies of Australia. 4.0 References ABS (2010).Causes of Death. Canberra: Australian Bureau of Statistics. Ademi, Z. Liew, D. Chew, D. Conner, G. Shiel, L. Nelson, M. Soman, A. Steg, G. Bhatt, D & Reid, C. (2009) Drug Treatment and Cost of Cardiovascular Disease in Australia. Cardiovascular Therapeutics27 :164–172.   AIHW. Australian Hospital Statistics 2007-08. (2009).Health Services Series No 31. [online]. Available from URL: http://www.aihw.gov.au/ publications/index.cfm/title/10776 [Accessed 2012Apr15] AIHW (2011). Monitoring acute coronary syndrome using national hospital data: An information paper on trends and issues. Cat. no. CVD 57. Canberra: AIHW. Available from Read More