Acute MI, AF hospitalizations increased during Greek financial crisis

During the financial crisis in Greece, hospital admissions increased for both acute MI and atrial fibrillation, most notably in women, according to results from two studies presented at the Heart Failure Congress 2014.

For the two studies, researchers conducted a retrospective evaluation of CV hospital admissions data culled from Elpis General Hospital in Athens. The admissions data were extracted from two periods: the “pre-crisis period” from 2003 to 2007 and the “crisis period” from 2008 to August 2012. One study focused on admissions for acute MI before and during the financial crisis and the other focused on admissions for AF at both time points.

“Greece plunged into an economic crisis in 2008, and since then there have been rises in unemployment, wage reductions and a fall in standard of living,” researcher Alexios Samentzas, MD, of Elpis General Hospital, said in a press release.

“We noticed an increased incidence of AF and heart attack in younger patients in the emergency room during the Greek financial crisis. Therefore, we decided to investigate whether there had been a real increase in cardiovascular diseases during the crisis,” researcher Dimitra Papadimitriou, MD, also from Elpis General Hospital, said in the release.

According to results presented, the overall number of cardiology department admissions increased from 3,420 during the pre-crisis period to 3,860 during the crisis period.

The number of hospitalizations for acute MI increased in both men and women during the crisis period. However, the increase was only significant in women (pre-crisis, 221 [14.6%]; during crisis, 412 [22.3%]; P<.001). Admissions for acute MI also were higher during the crisis period for both men and women aged 45 years and older, but this increase only reached significance in women (P<.01). The researchers also noted an increase in admissions for acute MI during the crisis among patients without insurance.

The number of admissions for AF also significantly increased during the crisis period in both men (pre-crisis, 286 [15%]; during crisis, 364 [18%]) and women (pre-crisis, 306 [20%]; during crisis, 502 [27.2%]; P<.001). Additionally, AF admissions among men and women aged 60 years and younger were significantly increased, particularly in men (P<.01). First-time diagnosis of AF were also increased in both sexes. Of note, the incidence of uninsured patients who presented with AF more than doubled during the crisis period, particularly in women.

According to Papadimitriou, these rises in acute MI and AF may be related to increased stress, poor quality of life and unhealthy lifestyle habits associated with financial difficulties.

“The upsurge in heart attacks and AF during the crisis are a wake-up call for doctors and health systems to advise patients how to live healthily and reduce their cardiovascular risk,” she said.

For more information:

Papadimitriou D. Abstract #P904.

Samentzas A. Abstract #P905. Both presented at: Heart Failure Congress 2014; May 17-20, 2014; Athens, Greece.

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.