The World Health Organization (WHO) declares that even 80 percent all heart attacks and strokes are preventable. The most important thing is to know what increases your risk of circulatory problems so that you can control what you have.
Kaunas Clinics Cardiology Clinic Head of Ischemic Heart Disease Department prof. Olivija Dobilienė informs about how to control the main risk factors, when it is necessary to contact specialists and what modern technologies can help with.
What are the main risk factors?
According to prof. O. Clover, the main risk factors for cardiovascular diseases are high blood pressure, unhealthy diet, high cholesterol, diabetes, air pollution, obesity, smoking, kidney disease, physical inactivity, excessive alcohol consumption and stress.
“There are several modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease that we can change, such as behavioral factors: smoking, insufficient physical activity, excessive alcohol consumption, high salt intake, and metabolic factors: uncontrolled and excessive blood pressure, high glucose levels, obesity , high levels of “bad” – low-density lipoprotein (LDL) – cholesterol and diabetes. Environmental factors are also important, such as ambient air pollution, noise,” said the specialist.
Recommendations for risk management
According to O. Dobilienė, the majority of deaths from diseases of the circulatory system are caused by risk factors such as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, obesity or diabetes: “They can be prevented or controlled by changing lifestyle, diet, regular exercise, stopping smoking for a year, controlling blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels.”
The professor noted that a healthy diet should include a variety of unprocessed and fresh foods, including plenty of fruit and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and foods low in saturated fat, sugar and salt. Avoid processed foods and drink plenty of water.
It is also recommended to be physically active: “Adults (18-65) and seniors (65 and older) should try to get at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week.” engage in moderate-intensity physical activity or at least 75 min. engage in high-intensity physical activity. Children and teenagers should do at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. moderate or high-intensity physical activity.”
In addition, O. Dobilienė emphasized that medications intended to control blood pressure or reduce blood cholesterol levels must be taken continuously, following the prescribed treatment regimen and knowing what goals are being pursued.
It is necessary to seek help immediately
The professor warned that cardiovascular diseases are diverse, so their symptoms can also be different. When angina pectoris (a syndrome resulting from impaired supply of nutrients and oxygen to the heart muscle) shows classic symptoms, it is easy to diagnose.
“This is when angina pectoris is manifested by pressure, swimming, dull pain behind the sternum or on the left side of the chest, which can spread to the left arm through its inner part, to the shoulder, neck. Such pains, provoked by physical exertion or stress, last up to 10-15 minutes and disappear after stopping physical exertion. Longer lasting pain with sweating, shortness of breath or general weakness may indicate a developing myocardial infarction. In such a case, an ambulance should be called immediately”, emphasized O. Dobilienė, adding that regular check-ups should be done after reaching a certain age.
The cardiovascular disease prevention program, aimed at men and women between the ages of 40 and 60, helps identify people at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, she said. This encourages these people to make lifestyle changes, medical treatment can be applied if health problems are detected: “Prophylactic examination is necessary for those who have an unfavorable genetic predisposition – when among the first-degree relatives there were younger than 65 years old.” women and younger than 55 years men with ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction, or sudden death.”
Innovative technologies save
O. Dobilienė said that nowadays innovative technologies play an important role in the research and treatment of circulatory systems. According to her, smart watches, phones, electrocardiogram recording devices help in assessing the parameters of the cardiovascular system – pulse and its frequency, heart rhythm disorders, blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation.
“Patients can assess their pulse rate while doing sports or other physical activities, identify heart rhythm disorders by consulting with doctors, and ensure blood pressure control. In the future, it is expected that in this way we will also be able to monitor blood parameters that can be used to monitor heart failure and assess the risk of developing a myocardial infarction,” said the professor.
Vytas, a pensioner living in Žemaitija, shared his experience of how he became friends with smart technologies: “My grandchildren gave me a smart watch just so that I could always monitor my blood pressure. At first I thought it was a waste of money, I wasn’t used to carrying a watch with me all the time.”
The old man admitted that he had had problems with blood pressure for a long time, so he had to check it often and write down the indicators according to the doctors’ instructions. The watch, according to him, made it easier – now everything is much faster and simpler.
Uzsak. No. SAM-17
#Diseases #circulatory #system #protect
– 2024-04-18 04:24:08
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