Overview
- EsSalud’s National Cardiovascular Institute (Incor) reports a sustained increase in heart attacks among Peruvians younger than 50.
- The institute treats more than 350 myocardial infarction cases a year, about one a day, with a median patient age of 66 and men accounting for 80% of cases.
- EsSalud data show hypertension in 47.5% of patients and diabetes in 33.9%, with doctors citing poor diet, inactivity, stress, smoking, and high cholesterol as key drivers.
- Up to half of patients show warning signs up to 48 hours before an attack, and the hallmark during an event is heavy chest pain lasting more than 20 minutes that can spread to the jaw, shoulders, or abdomen.
- Doctors urge rapid care using a pharmaco‑invasive approach that pairs early clot‑dissolving drugs with angioplasty, followed by rehab, and they advise annual checkups, tobacco avoidance, a balanced diet, and regular exercise as prevention.