Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) account for millions of deaths annually worldwide and remain the leading cause of death globally, both in daily life and workplace environments. Here is an overview of the statistics and trends related to deaths from heart attacks and cardiovascular diseases.
Global cardiovascular disease mortality
- Deaths per Year: According to the World Heart Federation, approximately 20.5 million deaths annually are attributed to cardiovascular diseases, representing 33% of global deaths.
- Importance of CPR Training: Techniques like cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), introduced in the early 1960s, have proven essential in saving lives and reducing fatalities.
Cardiovascular mortality in Spain in 2023
2023 statistics
- Total Deaths: 115,889 deaths due to cardiovascular diseases, making it the leading cause of death in Spain.
- Daily Average: Over 317 deaths per day.
Gender impact
- Women accounted for 60,053 deaths (52%), while men accounted for 55,716 deaths.
Heart attack (acute myocardial infarction) deaths in 2023
- Total Deaths: 13,069 deaths in Spain, averaging 37 deaths per day.
- Other Causes of Death: Heart failure caused 18,954 deaths in 2023.
All these statistics reflect deaths from heart attacks or cardiovascular diseases in general. However, it is also interesting to analyze fatalities occurring specifically in workplace environments.
Workplace cardiovascular deaths
- 2024 Data:
- Total workplace fatalities in Spain: 646 during working hours.
- Infarkts, strokes, and natural causes accounted for 266 deaths (41,17% of total workplace fatalities).
- Other leading workplace fatalities:
- Crushing or entrapments: 99 deaths.
- Traffic accidents: 96 deaths.
To reduce the number of deaths from heart attacks or cardiovascular diseases, it is crucial to strengthen training in techniques such as CPR. While these fatalities are often unavoidable, performing CPR can provide the victim with a chance of survival.
Training and technology in reducing cardiovascular deaths
CPR and the role of training
CPR can significantly increase the chances of survival following cardiac arrest. Techniques include:
- Maintaining proper chest compression rhythm, often guided by music tracks with suitable tempos.
- Addressing key scenarios, such as using automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
In addition, cutting-edge technology has recently been introduced to enhance and energize this type of training: virtual reality.
Virtual Reality (VR) in CPR training
Virtual reality has emerged as a cutting-edge tool in CPR education, offering:
- Realistic Simulations: Scenarios like cardiac arrest in an airport are recreated digitally while synchronizing with physical practice equipment (e.g., CPR mannequins).
- Stress Management: Introducing factors like distractions, environmental stress, and decision-making under pressure.
- Personalized Feedback: Allowing participants to practice, make mistakes, and refine techniques in a safe environment.
VR enables immersive and practical training that prepares individuals to handle real-life emergencies confidently and effectively.
By improving CPR education and integrating advanced training technologies like VR, there is potential to reduce deaths from heart attacks and cardiovascular diseases, both in daily life and the workplace.