Cardiovascular diseases constitute a broad group of pathologies that affect the heart and blood vessels.
As the WHO points out, cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death in the world. It is estimated that in 2012 more than 17 million people in the world died from cardiovascular diseases, which represents more than 30% of all deaths. Of these, approximately 40% were due to coronary heart disease and another 40% to cerebrovascular disease. It should be noted that 80% of heart attacks and premature strokes are preventable, so it is essential to promote cardiovascular health.
What are the most serious cardiovascular diseases?
The most relevant cardiovascular diseases are ischemic heart disease (myocardial infarction or angina pectoris), heart failure and cerebrovascular disease (stroke or stroke and TIA). Peripheral vascular disease (intermittent claudication) should also be highlighted. For this reason, it is essential to know which factors increase the risk of suffering from them, since most of them are controllable and modifiable.
For all this, it is very important to promote health education in healthy lifestyle habits.
What are the main causes of cardiovascular disease and how can I improve my cardiovascular health?
- Tobacco: Tobacco is very harmful to health, regardless of the way it is consumed (cigarettes, cigars, pipe...). Quitting smoking immediately reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke and the risk is reduced by half in a single year. Consult with your Primary Care Physician how you can be helped to abandon this harmful habit.
- Healthy and balanced diet: A balanced diet is essential for the health of the heart and vascular system. You should consume plenty of fruits and vegetables, cereals (especially whole grains), fish and legumes, as well as lean meats. You should also avoid salt and refined sugars, as well as all industrially manufactured products (pastries...)
- Sedentary lifestyle and obesity: If we do a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity a day, we help keep our cardiovascular system in shape. On the other hand, if we practice at least one hour almost every day of the week, we maintain our weight and help control blood pressure. The most recommended exercises are aerobic: running, walking at a good pace, swimming, cycling, dancing... It is very important to remember that it is better to do some exercise than to do nothing.
- Arterial hypertension: Hypertension is one of the main causes of myocardial infarction and stroke. It should be noted that hypertension does not usually produce symptoms, hence the importance of measuring it periodically. If it is elevated (we set the risk limit at 140/90), you should consult with your doctor. It is a priority to change lifestyles, increasing physical activity and decreasing salt consumption. It is likely that when the numbers are repeatedly above the range, medication will have to be prescribed.
- Hypercholesterolemia: Like hypertension, high blood cholesterol levels do not usually produce any type of clinical manifestation. High cholesterol levels (above 200-220 mg/dl) increase the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke. It is important to have analytical checkups as medically indicated to determine your levels. To control it, a healthy diet is a priority and sometimes requires medication to achieve adequate numbers.
- Diabetes: Excess blood sugar (diabetes) is a very important risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases, mainly myocardial infarction and stroke. If you suffer from diabetes, you should be closely monitored by your Primary Care Physician and your Endocrinologist. In addition, you have to be more thorough with the control of blood pressure and cholesterol.
Promoting cardiovascular health is essential to prevent cardio and cerebrovascular diseases. Quitting the smoking habit, eating a healthy and balanced diet, exercising regularly and doing periodic checks of BP, cholesterol and sugar are the fundamental pillars to help our cardiovascular condition, always guided by the health professionals at your Health Center and the specialists. that they collaborate with them.
By Dr. Cristian Iborra , Non-invasive Cardiology Unit, Outpatient Clinics and Hospitalization