Cardiovascular disease requires lifelong care after heart attack survival

Medical experts emphasize that surviving a heart attack does not mean the underlying cardiovascular disease is cured. While advances in urgent care allow many patients to recover and return to normal life, the underlying cause—often atherosclerosis—remains a chronic condition that requires lifelong management to prevent future events.

Dr. Francisco José Hidalgo, an interventional cardiologist at Hospital Quirónsalud Córdoba, noted on World Heart Day that medical interventions solve the acute episode but do not eliminate the chronic disease. In the province of Córdoba, specialized 'Código Infarto' programs facilitate urgent catheterizations 24/7, with approximately 400 to 450 interventions performed annually. Rapidly restoring blood flow is critical to limiting cardiac damage and improving long-term outcomes.