Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency surveys 230,000 nationwide
Caution is advised with chest, neck, and jaw pain symptoms
A recent survey revealed that less than half of South Korean adults know the early warning signs of a heart attack.
According to a report released on the 17th by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, out of 230,000 adults aged 19 and above surveyed last year, only 47.1% could correctly identify all early heart attack symptoms.
This percentage rose from 46.5% in 2017 to 56.9% in 2019 but dropped back to the 40s. A potential reason for this decline might be decreased attention to cardiovascular diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Sudden severe chest pain or a feeling of pressure
- Sudden pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back
- Difficulty in breathing
- Sudden pain or discomfort in the arms or shoulders.
While a direct link between low awareness and higher death rates can’t be definitively stated, the agency emphasized that more heightened awareness can lead to faster emergency responses, thereby increasing patient survival rates.
The agency also expressed, “While we can’t assert that areas with low awareness have higher death rates, in regions with reduced awareness, there’s a need to bolster education and promotion regarding the early signs of heart attacks.”
By Lee Beum-hee (heebe904@wikitree.co.kr)
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