Pulmonary embolism and myocardial infarction (1948-1966) - (1976-1980)

This study compares the autopsy incidence of pulmonary embolism and myocardial infarction in Galway between the years 1948-1966 and 1976-1980. Most of the changes seen are in the over-50 age group. The incidence of pulmonary embolism in females has doubled. Surgery in patients with heart disease more than doubled the incidence of pulmonary embolism. In females, the incidence of recent myocardial infarction increased six-fold. The incidence of old myocardial infarction doubled. The male incidence of myocardial infarction has doubled in the same period. The incidence of myocardial infarction is now the same in males and females coming to post-mortem.