SANTO DOMINGO, RD – Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death worldwide. Most of these conditions can be prevented by following the seven main recommendations such as: not smoking, exercising, following a healthy diet, controlling weight, getting enough sleep, controlling stress and attending regular medical check-ups.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there will be an estimated 18.6 million deaths in 2020 from CVD. These diseases include high blood pressure, myocardial infarction and stroke.
According to the Dominican Society of Cardiology, in 2019 in the Dominican Republic, CVDs are 37 percent of the cause of death and approximately 70% of these deaths are due to acute myocardial infarction, which represents the second cause of death in the country. , afterwards. traffic accidents.
“Most of these pathologies can be prevented by intervention in known and modifiable classic risk factors, such as smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol,” says by Dr. Aneyis Alcantara, cardiologist-internist-echocardiographer. , who provides services at the Outpatient Consultation building in Luis Eduardo Aybar Health City.
The specialist emphasizes that the following recommendations are important to take care of the heart and prevent cardiovascular diseases:
Do not smoke: Tobacco is an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The chemicals in tobacco damage the heart and blood vessels.
Exercise: Regular, daily physical activity reduces the risk of heart disease, helps control weight, and reduces the chance of other conditions that put stress on the heart, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
Follow a healthy diet: it should be based on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fish and lean meat. It is also important to limit your intake of salt, sugar, processed carbohydrates, alcohol and saturated fats.
Control weight: Excess weight, especially around the abdomen, increases the risk of heart disease.
Get enough sleep: People who lack sleep have a higher risk of obesity, high blood pressure, heart attack, diabetes, and depression.
Control stress: Failure to do this can contribute to the development of heart disease. It’s important to find healthy ways to manage stress, such as physical activity, relaxation exercises, or meditation.
Go for regular medical check-up: Regular medical check-up helps in identifying and treating the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases.
The Public Network has more than 240 doctors in the area of cardiology at different levels of care, professionals who help people go to health centers for treatment and timely diagnosis of heart diseases and problems.
Ephemeris
The World Health Organization (WHO/PAHO) celebrates World Heart Day every September 29 with the aim of promoting preventive measures and raising awareness about the importance of fighting against cardiovascular diseases (CVD), this year under motto « It is something important to every beating heart.”
