Cardiovascular diseases develop after the age of 40 in men, and more often 5-6 years after menopause in women. Emphasizing that the risk of heart disease increases with age, Anadolu Health Center Cardiology Specialist Dr. Nermina Alagic said, “The basis of the fight against cardiovascular diseases is the detection of cardiovascular disease risk factors and taking precautions against risks. With the various scoring methods used today, it is possible to learn the risk of cardiovascular diseases and to reduce this risk with some precautions to be taken.

Anadolu Medical Center Cardiology Specialist, who emphasized that when evaluated for all age groups in Turkey, one out of every two deaths occur due to cardiovascular diseases and that 80 percent of these premature deaths are preventable. Nermina Alagic said, “Many factors undoubtedly play a role in the development of cardiovascular diseases. Especially diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, tobacco use and advanced age are among the main risk factors. In addition, risk factors such as having a history of cardiovascular disease at an early age, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet that can lead to obesity are also important for cardiovascular diseases.

Increases risk of cardiovascular disease in family members

According to a study of 49,255 male patients followed for more than 20 years in the USA, patients with and without family risk factors were 50 percent higher in the group with a family history of cardiovascular disease before age 50 than in the group without family risk factors. Expressing that the risk of developing cardiovascular disease is seen, Cardiology Specialist Dr. Nermina Alagic said, “The earlier the family members have a history of heart attack, stent or bypass, the higher the risk of the patient.”

Stating that familial high cholesterol is genetic, it is a disease with significant high cholesterol levels and a high risk of heart attack, Dr. Alagic said, “30 percent of women who have this problem are up to the age of 60; 50% of men have a heart attack by the age of 50. On the other hand, it is possible to reduce coronary artery disease by 80% with early diagnosis and treatment in people with familial hyperlipidemia. For this reason, it is important to take preventive measures for possible risk factors in order to reduce the risk of heart attack in the future. The protective measures to be taken vary depending on the patient’s risk factors and the risk they have. “While this may be just a lifestyle change, it may also include starting medication in addition to this,” he said.

Measuring risk is important for protection

Underlining that the basis of the fight against cardiovascular diseases is the detection of cardiovascular disease risk factors and taking precautions against risks, Cardiology Specialist Dr. Nermina Alagic said, “However, one of the most important factors that determine how much benefit will be obtained from prevention and treatment is early diagnosis. There are various scoring systems in order to investigate the risk factors that cause cardiovascular diseases and to make their effects easier to understand. For example, in the risk scoring, which is used to determine the risks of cardiovascular diseases of individuals and created by examining the data obtained from the studies of 12 European countries, a 10-year risk level can be determined by looking at different parameters of the individual. Therefore, the 10-year risk of fatal and non-fatal heart diseases can be measured in apparently healthy people between the ages of 40-69. Having an increased risk unfortunately means an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure and other problems. The main imaging modalities used in risk determination and diagnosis include coronary artery calcium score, contrast-enhanced computed tomography, coronary angiography, carotid ultrasound and echocardiography. The aim is to identify people at high risk who should benefit most from preventive interventions. Measuring the risk, especially in individuals without symptoms, is very important for prevention.

9 ways to reduce cardiovascular risk

Emphasizing that patients with a high risk of cardiovascular diseases, lifestyle changes are recommended first and that drug therapy is initiated if necessary to reduce high risk factors and the patient is followed closely. Nermina Alagic shared ways to prevent cardiovascular diseases:

• If you use tobacco products, quit.

• Do 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise (walking, swimming, jogging, etc.) or 75-150 minutes of high-intensity exercise a week.

• Maintain your weight.

• Consume at least 200 grams of fruit and vegetables every day.

• Consume fish with high omega-3 content such as salmon, mackerel and sardines twice a week.

• Limit your red meat consumption to a maximum of 350-500 grams per week.

• Consume 30 grams of raw nuts a day.

• If you have diabetes, follow the recommendations and pay attention to your sugar balance.

• Do not consume more than 5 grams of salt per day to maintain your blood pressure.

Source: (BYZHA) – Beyaz News Agency