The first cause of death in Spain is the group of diseases related to the circulatory system, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE). Specifically, in 2021 they represented 26.4% of the total, which also means a rate of 251.8 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. In absolute numbers, 119,196 people died from this cause. Tumors are next, with 25.2% of the total and a rate of 240.1 per 100,000 inhabitants. By gender, tumors are the first cause of death in men with 292.5 deaths per 100,000 men and the second in women, with 189.8 per 100,000 women.
Diseases of the circulatory system were the leading cause of female mortality (262.2 deaths per 100,000) and the second among males (241.1). Within this group of diseases, the ones that have caused the most deaths are ischemic heart disease (28,852 deaths) and heart failure (20,173).
Heart attack, like other cardiac pathologies, is a well-known disease among the general population. However, the symptoms that precede the appearance of a heart attack are not sufficiently known, something that in many cases would save time in the diagnosis and, therefore, improve the prognosis. Myocardial infarction is the result of blockage or decreased blood flow that feeds the heart. It is common for this obstruction to occur due to the accumulation of fat and cholesterol in the arteries of the heart. Fatty deposits sometimes rupture and form a clot that blocks blood flow. When this happens, it is imperative to act quickly and seek medical assistance.
Heart attacks can come on suddenly, but they can also have early warning signs. The symptomatology of the infarction is variable, which makes its identification difficult. Sometimes the symptoms are intense and easy to detect, but in other cases the symptoms may be non-existent.
The most common symptom, for both women and men, is chest pain (angina). In any case, if the symptoms described above appear, medical attention must be sought immediately.
