The SAMU 061 Balearic Islands attended a total of 23,246 cases related to cardiovascular conditions in 2024, representing an increase of 5% compared to the 22,109 cases recorded in 2023. This increase highlights the higher incidence of time-dependent conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, and cardiac arrests, conditions that require rapid intervention to minimise complications and improve survival rates.

SAMU 061

Photo: CAIB.

The SAMU 061’s healthcare data reflect an increase in the activation of specific protocols for cardiovascular emergencies:

  • Heart Attack Protocol: activated 376 times, a 26% increase compared to 2023.
  • Stroke Protocol: activated 801 times, representing a 15% increase.
  • Cardiac Arrest Protocol: activated 507 times, a 14% increase, with a 41% success rate in resuscitation upon arrival at the hospital.

These protocols enable a rapid and coordinated response, significantly improving the survival rates of patients with cardiovascular conditions. In the Balearic Islands, the SAMU 061 response times are 12 minutes for cardiac arrests and an average of 46 minutes from the activation of the heart attack or stroke protocol to the administration of hospital treatment, well below the international recommendations of 120 minutes.

Higher incidence in men and adults aged 30 to 70

According to SAMU 061 data, heart attacks and strokes predominantly affect men (72%) compared to women (28%). In the case of cardiac arrests, the difference is smaller, but they still occur more frequently in men (58% compared to 42% in women). This difference is attributed to a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in men, as well as social and life expectancy factors.

Regarding age, 80% of cases occur in individuals aged 30 to 70 years. However, hospitals in the Balearic Islands have specific protocols to attend to patients outside this range, such as the paediatric stroke protocol and specialised care programmes for elderly patients.

Prevention and early detection of cardiovascular conditions

Given this situation, SAMU 061 emphasises the importance of prevention, early detection, and immediate action. On the occasion of the European Day for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Risk, the emergency service highlights its commitment to training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of semi-automatic defibrillators (AEDs), fundamental measures to increase survival rates in cases of cardiac arrest.