Corporate Magazine 2012 - Boehringer Ingelheim

Cardiovascular diseasesCardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of deathin many countries, and are still increasing in prevalence.StrokeStroke is the rapidly developing loss of brain functionsdue to a blockage of the blood flow to the affected braintissue. This can be due to ischaemia (lack of blood supply)caused by thrombosis or embolism, or due to ableeding. As a result, the affected area of the brain isunable to function and the damage quickly becomespermanent, if untreated. Stroke is an acute event requiringemergency diagnosis and intervention. Stroke is oneof the leading causes of death and long-term disabilityin the developed world. Symptoms of a transient ischaemicattack (TIA) are similar to stroke, but last for onlya few minutes or hours. As a TIA may precede a stroke,emergency medical care and subsequent preventivetreatment is necessary.Acute myocardial infarctionAn acute myocardial infarction, or heart attack, is anacute event that occurs when a thrombus or clot suddenlyprevents blood flow to an area of the heart muscle.Unless the blood flow is restored quickly, the affectedsection of heart muscle becomes permanentlydamaged. Heart attack is a leading cause of death in alldeveloped countries.74Boehringer Ingelheim annual report 2012