Massive Increase in Heart Attacks in Austria Over the Last Ten Years

Currently, around 1,000 acute heart attacks are treated annually at the Innsbruck cardiology department. Meanwhile, there was also news in another regard: with the help of AI, the "biological age" in relation to the heart can be read.

Reasons for Increased Heart Attacks

Reasons for the increased heart attacks include "better diagnostics," demographic change, and "improved treatment methods." For example, it is possible to proceed very gently with "minimally invasive methods" - where only a small intervention and no surgery is necessary - even "in older people," Bauer cited as an example at a press conference.

Such minimal interventions and improved therapies in general mean that "more and more older people survive heart attacks" and thus further heart attacks occur in old age, explained the cardiologist as a key reason for the increased number. Since people are also "getting older" overall, this simply increases "the number of heart attacks," according to the top physician.

Bauer Sees Improved Health Awareness

The increased heart attacks are definitely not related to a poor lifestyle or lack of health awareness. "On the contrary, I believe that health awareness has even improved in recent years," Bauer emphasized. This is also evidenced by the fact that "mortality in industrialized countries has been clearly declining for some time." New medications and rapid scientific progress also contribute to this.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is currently in the process of revolutionizing the field of cardiology. "AI can, for example, perform ECG analyses and extract aspects that were previously unreadable or uninterpretable," explained the clinic director. With the help of AI, the "biological age" can be read, which can be compared to the "chronological age." "If there is a discrepancy, it can indicate an increased risk of heart disease," Bauer elaborated. AI can thus determine "how old the body really is," he specified.

Another field that will play an important role in cardiology in the future is quantum technology. "With quantum computers, entirely new types of calculations are possible and a performance capability that was previously unthinkable," explained Bauer. Thus, it will likely be possible in the future to "gain new insights and establish new connections," he emphasized. The linking of "data" in this way will certainly bring enormous progress, Bauer added.

Fourth Cardiac Catheter Laboratory in Innsbruck Since August

Nevertheless, it is important to work practically on-site, the scientist emphasized. "Since August 2024, we have had a fourth cardiac catheter laboratory," said Bauer. Additionally, another large device has been acquired to "meet the growing number of heart attacks and reduce waiting times." Furthermore, as part of the Innsbruck Heart Center, there is a "logistically well-developed network" that helps "make the right preliminary decisions."

Cardiologists Christoph Brenner and Bernhard Metzler pointed out further aspects of current cardiology and its state in Innsbruck. "We have developed into a leading center for minimally invasive heart valve procedures," highlighted Brenner, deputy director of the University Clinic for Internal Medicine III. The good standing of Innsbruck is also contributed to by the cardiology congress, emphasized Metzler, managing senior physician of the University Clinic for Internal Medicine III.

The congress is taking place in the Tyrolean state capital for the 27th time and will be held this year from March 6 to 8. More than 800 participants from home and abroad have announced their attendance. Topics from areas such as heart failure or coronary and structural heart disease will be discussed.

(APA/Red)

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