Eastern Mediterranean University Dr. Fazıl Küçük Medicine Faculty academic staff member and Marmara University Medicine Faculty Cardiology Department academic staff member Prof. Dr. Beste Özben Sadıç released a statement on the occasion of 12-18 April Heart Awareness Week:
“Are We Aware of the Heart Diseases? Is it Possible to Avoid Diseases as such?
Cardiovascular diseases are the most frequently encountered diseases worldwide acting as the major cause of death. Among cardiovascular diseases are hypertension, coroner artery diseases, heart failure, arrhythmia and valvular heart disease. Approximately 17 million individuals lose their lives each year due to cardiovascular diseases. Blood pressure problems affect around 1,5 billion people worldwide and act as the cause of death for around 9,4 million people each year. Due to the aging world population, the frequency of atrial fibrillation has increased.
People with cardiovascular diseases may be unaware of their condition. For example, people with high blood pressure may not be aware of their problem unless they have various symptoms including headache, visual problems, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Research findings reveal that only 1/3 of the hypertension patients are aware of their condition and only 1/3 of those who receive treatment have desired blood pressure levels. If untreated, high blood pressure may result in heart attacks, stroke, heart or kidney failure. Along with high blood pressure, high levels of cholesterol, being overweight and obesity, use of tobacco products, or diabetics affect heart conditions.
Accompanied by extreme and persistent chest pain, heart attacks occur due to damaging or death of an area of the heart muscle resulting from a blocked blood supply to that area. Following the appearance of the chest pain, prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial for life. Hence, in situations as such, one should visit the nearest emergency department in a hospital. However, for chest pain occuring for 5-10 minutes while walking, exercising or during stress, one should undergo checkup at the cardiology department of a hospital.
Due to the frequent appearance of the cardiovascular diseases, World Heart Day (29 September), World Hypertension Day (17 May), World Heart Failure Day (2nd week of May) are observed annually. The aim of organisations as such is to raise awareness towards cardiovascular diseases, and inform the community about protection, diagnosis, treatment and lifestyle change issues. Members of the World Heart Federation inform the world that 80% of the deaths resulting from heart diseases are preventable. Members of the community who are over 40 should have their risk of cardivascular diseases calculated.
We recommend all to adopt healthy dietary habits, limit salt intake (5 grams a day), exercise regularly (30 minutes 5 times a week), avoid tobacco products, and have regular checks on their weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels.