Almost 2,400 suspected cases of acute myocardial infarction were sent in 2024 by INEM for hospital treatment through the coronary green via, according to official data, which point to an increase of 13.2% compared to 2023.
Data from the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM), released to the Lusa Agency on National Coronary Sick Day, reveal that 2,397 patients were transported, of which 69% had symptoms of acute myocardial infarction began less than two hours ago.
Speaking to the Lusa Agency, Rogério Moreira Marques, a doctor of the Northern Delegation of INEM, said that there has been a progressive increase in the number of patients transported, with 1,556 in 2022, 2,118 in 2023 and 2,397 last year.
“This progressive increase will most likely be related to the increase in records in Iteams [INEM Tool for Emergency Alert Medical System] For the firefighters and corporations of the Portuguese Red Cross, our partners of the Integrated Emergency Medical System, and also with the improvement of the records made by the INEM means, ”said the doctor.
In 2024, INEM’s Urgent Patient Orientation Center (CODO) answered and tried, on average, more than 6,000 calls per month due to complaints of thoracic pain, and 97,905 prehospital emergency media was triggered during the year, during the year, means of emergency media , with electrocardiograms performed at the occurrence site in 90% of cases.
According to INEM, this procedure allowed to identify the 2,397 patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction, enabling rapid and effective referral to the most appropriate health facilities.
The data show that most patients were male (69%), younger than female (average age 61 compared to an average of 67 years).
The districts with the largest number of records were Porto (459), Lisbon (409), Braga (318), Faro (164) and Aveiro (111).
The hospitals that received the most ill were the Braga Hospital (312), Faro (182), São João Hospital in Porto (169), and the hospitals of Santa Maria and Santa Marta, with 133 and 130 patients, respectively.
Rogério Moreira Marques pointed out that acute myocardial infarction remains a significant cause of mortality in Portugal, occurring due to the sudden interruption of coronary blood perfusion.
“The main treatment for this disease is primary angioplasty that will have to be performed in a hospital from, where it is concluded, that it is important to function in a network among hospitals with the ability to perform the necessary treatment and a pre-pre-emergency system Efficient hospital that can bring them the sick, ”he said.
The goal of coronary green via is to reduce “the time between the onset of symptoms and the one in which treatment is done”, which is largely determined by seeking health care by the patient, ie “the time when the patient realizes the symptoms or that associates them with something serious and calls asking for help. ”
Symptoms of acute myocardial infarction include sudden chest pain, with or without irradiation to the left arm, back or jaw, intense cold sweats, nausea and vomiting.
INEM reinforces the importance of recognizing these signs and immediately contacting 112, ensuring a quick and effective response.
Prevention of acute myocardial infarction includes regular medical examinations, healthy lifestyles, sports, and avoiding tobacco and sedentary life
