Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are one of the leading causes of death worldwide. That is why it is so important to detect them at an early stage.
Early detection of cardiovascular diseases allows for timely treatment, including consultation with specialists and prescription of necessary medications. Most cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by addressing behavioral and environmental risk factors such as smoking, poor diet, overweight, physical inactivity, alcohol abuse and environmental pollution.
Classification of cardiovascular disease risk factors
- Biological factors:
– Age, sex, heredity, genetic factors contributing to dyslipidemia, hypertension, glucose tolerance, diabetes mellitus and obesity.
– Anatomical, physiologic, and metabolic features:
Dyslipidemia, obesity and patterns of body fat distribution, diabetes mellitus.
- Behavioral (modifiable) factors:
– Eating habits, smoking, motor activity, alcohol consumption, exposure to stress.
Reasons for early diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases
You should see a cardiologist or have your heart and blood vessels examined if you have any of the following symptoms or conditions:
- Chest pain or discomfort: pressing, burning, or squeezing pain in the heart area that may go to the left arm, shoulder, neck, or jaw. Discomfort that occurs with exercise or stress.
- Dyspnea: difficulty breathing, especially with minimal physical activity or at rest.
- Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat: a feeling of “pauses” in the heart, too fast or too slow a pulse. Heart palpitations (tachycardia).
- Dizziness or fainting: frequent dizziness, pre-fainting, or loss of consciousness may indicate circulatory problems.
- Swelling: swelling of the legs, feet, or abdomen, which may be associated with a heart disorder.
- Increased fatigue: severe weakness or tiredness occurring even with minor exertion.
- High or low blood pressure: persistently high or low blood pressure that may be accompanied by headache, weakness, or dizziness.
- Snoring or stopping breathing during sleep: these symptoms may indicate sleep apnea, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Family history of heart disease: if close relatives have had heart attacks, strokes or other cardiovascular diseases, especially at a young age.
- Risk factors: having bad habits (smoking, alcohol abuse), obesity, sedentary lifestyle, diabetes or high cholesterol.
Benefits of early diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases
Early diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases can significantly reduce the risk of serious complications, such as heart attack or stroke, and improve the prognosis of the disease. Prompt detection of heart or vascular problems helps to start treatment in time, which helps to effectively control symptoms and prevent the condition from worsening.
In addition, early diagnosis enables lifestyle adjustments that reduce the impact of modifiable risk factors, such as poor diet and lack of physical activity, and allow patients to live longer and healthier lives.
Activities that promote healthy lifestyles and reduce risk factors
- Stop smoking. If a person smokes 5 cigarettes a day – the risk of death increases by 40%, if one pack a day – by 400%, that is, the chances of dying are 10 times greater!
- Follow a hypocholesterolemic diet: reduce saturated fats, emphasize whole grain products, vegetables (up to 5 servings per day is recommended), fruits and fish. Soft margarine, sunflower, corn, canola or olive oil should be used. The total fat content should be no more than 30% of the total energy composition.
- Reduce the intake of table salt to 5 g/day. Reduce the use of products containing “hidden” salt: smoked and cooked sausages, bread. It is very useful to increase the consumption of foods containing potassium and magnesium (seaweed, raisins, beets, apricots, zucchini, pumpkin, buckwheat).
- Rational nutrition is a balanced, regular (at least 4 times a day) meals with limited salt intake.
- Reduce excess weight. Excess weight increases the risk of coronary heart disease and other diseases. The prevalence of overweight increases with age.
The importance of mental health in cardiovascular diseases prevention
While physical factors such as diet and exercise are often emphasized in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, mental health also plays a crucial role. Chronic stress, anxiety, and depression can significantly increase the risk of heart disease by raising blood pressure, causing inflammation, and contributing to unhealthy coping mechanisms like poor diet and smoking. Managing stress through techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, and adequate sleep can improve heart health and lower the likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases.
A holistic approach, which includes both physical and mental well-being, is key to maintaining overall cardiovascular health.
Conclusion
Early detection of cardiovascular diseases is crucial for effective treatment and prevention of serious complications such as heart attack and stroke. With timely diagnosis, not only can treatment be initiated, but also necessary lifestyle changes can be made that significantly reduce risks and help maintain heart health for years to come. It is important to remember that prevention of heart disease begins with controlling risk factors such as poor diet, lack of physical activity and bad habits. Regular checkups, a healthy diet and quitting smoking are steps each of us can take to stay healthy and maintain an active longevity.
