Sudden coronary death in the United States: 1980-1985.

TLDR

The decline in out‑of‑hospital and emergency‑room sudden coronary death rates should spur further prevention and emergency care improvements. The study examined National Center for Health Statistics data on out‑of‑hospital and emergency‑room sudden coronary deaths from 1980 to 1985 across 40 states. The authors analyzed National Center for Health Statistics records of out‑of‑hospital and emergency‑room deaths between 1980 and 1985 in 40 states. In 1985, 56 % of ischemic heart disease deaths among 35‑74‑year‑olds occurred out of hospital or in the ER, with higher rates in men and blacks, and the decline in such deaths accounted for the majority of the overall ischemic heart disease mortality reduction in white men, white women, and non‑whites.

Abstract

To describe patterns of an indicator of sudden coronary death, data from the National Center for Health Statistics were examined for deaths occurring out of hospital and in the emergency room (OH/ER) from 1980 to 1985 in 40 states. In 1985, 56% of ischemic heart disease deaths occurred OH/ER among persons aged 35-74 years. The percentage occurring OH/ER declined with age, was higher in men than women, and higher in blacks than whites. At age 55-64, 61% of ischemic heart disease deaths in white and 66% in black men occurred OH/ER. Between 1980 and 1985, age-adjusted death rates in white men aged 35-74 years declined 19% for OH/ER and 18% for in-hospital ischemic heart disease deaths. The percentage of deaths in ER increased. The decline in deaths occurring OH/ER accounted for 61% of the total absolute decline in ischemic heart disease death rate in white men, 55% in white women, and about 70% in nonwhites. The decline in rates of death OH/ER should encourage further efforts at preventing coronary heart disease and improving emergency medical services.