Amid aging and other factors, domestic cases of myocardial infarction rose 40% over 10 years, data showed on the 30th. Stroke patients increased 14% over the same period. Myocardial infarction occurs when a coronary artery that supplies blood to the heart muscle is blocked, damaging the heart muscle. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures or is blocked. Both progress quickly, and without timely treatment can lead to sudden death or leave aftereffects such as speech impairment.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced the "2023 cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease incidence statistics" on this day. According to the agency, cases of myocardial infarction increased from 24,786 in 2013 to 34,768 in 2023. In 2023, the incidence of myocardial infarction was 68 cases per 100,000 people. Those 80 and older had the highest rate at 316.7. The 30-day case fatality rate, the proportion of people who died within 30 days after a myocardial infarction, was 8.9%, and the 1-year case fatality rate, the proportion of people who died within 1 year, was 16.1%.
Stroke cases increased from 99,596 over the same period to 113,098 in 2023. The incidence of stroke was 221.1 cases per 100,000 people. For those 80 and older, it was 1,507.5 cases. The proportion who died within 30 days was 7.5%, and the proportion who died within 1 year was 19.8%.
Men had a higher incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases than women. For myocardial infarction, men had 2.9 times the rate of women, and for stroke, men had 1.2 times the rate of women. By region, Jeonnam had the highest incidence of myocardial infarction and Sejong the lowest. For stroke, North Chungcheong had a high incidence and Seoul a low incidence.
To prevent myocardial infarction and stroke, avoid alcohol and tobacco and exercise regularly for 30 minutes every day. It is also necessary to maintain an appropriate weight and waist circumference and manage stress. The agency said, "In an emergency, you must call 119 immediately."