“Like his paintings, which capture the fragility and beauty of life, famed artist Gustav Klimt succumbed to heart failure, but his lifelong masterpiece continues to inspire generations.” a famous character
It is imperative to strengthen the Mexican health system by actively identifying patients with heart failure (HF), as well as intensive care of people with cardiometabolic diseases from the first level of care, all from a multidisciplinary approach.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 17.9 million people died due to these diseases in 2019, which is about a third of all registered deaths in the world. In Mexico, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi), CVDs were the leading cause of death before 2021, when they were overtaken by COVID-19, which caused approximately 220,000 deaths and an excess mortality rate of 41.4%.
Within CVD, we find systemic arterial hypertension, ischemic heart disease, degenerative calcific aortic valve stenosis, congenital heart disease and heart failure. in 2021, heart disease; Part of this group, with more than 225,000 registered deaths, was the second leading cause of death in Mexico.
It is important to recognize that heart failure (HF) is the end stage of all cardiovascular diseases and therefore has high morbidity and mortality. Although data on its prevalence in Mexico are limited, it is estimated that 2.4 to 3.0 million people suffer from it, and this figure is on the rise.
In Mexico, HF is the leading cause of hospitalization in people over the age of 65. In our country, about 15 million people are in this age range, and half of HF patients die within five years after diagnosis due to lack of timely treatment.
Symptoms of HF can vary, but often include shortness of breath, fatigue, fluid buildup in the legs, and an inability to exercise or perform other physical activities. Furthermore, of the total number of people with HF, 70% suffer from overweight or obesity, 30% from systemic arterial hypertension, and 20% from type 2 diabetes. This reality underscores the importance of establishing public policies that promote early detection. HF from the first level of care.
Although HF in advanced stages may require a transplant, there are ways to slow disease progression and improve patients’ quality of life. These include maintaining a healthy weight, getting regular exercise, not smoking, and reducing stress. Controlling co-existing conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure may also help reduce HF.
In terms of medication, angiotensin inhibitors, beta-blockers, digitalis and diuretics are used. Medical devices such as pacemakers, automated defibrillators, cardiac resynchronization devices, and cardiac contractility modulation devices are also used. When necessary, treatment may include surgery such as bypass or angioplasty, valve replacement, and in extreme cases, heart transplant.
However, the availability of drugs, medical equipment, and surgical procedures in Mexico has been notoriously inadequate in recent years. For example, in 2021 and 2022, only 26 and 42 heart transplants were performed, respectively (0.2 and 0.3 per million inhabitants), figures far lower than in countries such as Colombia and Brazil.
Therefore, with the aim of providing timely diagnosis, early treatment, and coordinating referral and counter-referral systems to guarantee effective access to various treatments, medical equipment, the federal executive is empowered to actively search for patients with HF. Presenting the call is important. Also heart transplant if necessary. Timely detection and early treatment of heart failure is essential to improving the health and well-being of Mexicans.
*Actor Jaime Ramirez Barba is a specialist in general surgery, certified in public health, holds a doctorate in health sciences and public administration, and is a re-elected deputy of the PAN parliamentary group in the LXV Legislature.
