Heart diseases are one of the leading causes of death all over the world and in Turkey. According to the data of the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK), almost 40 percent of deaths are related to cardiovascular diseases.
Sharing important information about heart health within the scope of April 10-17 Heart Week, Structural Heart Diseases Association Vice President and İnönü University Faculty of Medicine Turgut Özal Medical Center Cardiology Specialist Prof. Dr. Hakan Taşolar talked about ways to prevent cardiovascular diseases.
– Prof. Dr. Hakan Taşolar
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DEATH DUE TO HEART AND VASCULAR DISEASES RANKED FIRST
prof. Dr. Stating that the attention has been turned to the COVID-19 pandemic for the last two years, Taşolar said, “Deaths from heart diseases still continue at a high rate. In our country, deaths related to cardiovascular diseases are in the first place, as in the whole world. According to TUIK data, almost 40 percent of deaths are due to cardiovascular diseases. “It seems to be related to diseases. In the meantime, we need to devote more time to our heart, which nourishes all the organs in the body, and we need to take great care to protect it.”
CALL FOR THOSE WHO HAVE HEART DISEASE IN THE FAMILY
Emphasizing that some people are at higher risk for cardiovascular diseases, Prof. Dr. Taşolar said: “First of all, not every patient’s risk of heart disease is the same. Those with certain risk factors, unfortunately, make up the unlucky group in catching heart diseases. While we can get rid of some of them, we can only control some of them. Patients with diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels. “They can control these diseases with proper diet, exercise and, if necessary, medications. On the other hand, it is entirely up to us to get rid of factors such as smoking, alcohol, irregular diet and stress. Especially patients with a family history of heart disease should pay more attention to them.”
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WHICH CARDIOVASCULAR PATIENTS SHOULD NOT FAST?
Expressing that they do not want some high-risk cardiovascular patients to fast during Ramadan, Prof. Dr. Taşolar said, “For example, we do not recommend fasting for patients who have had a stent placed on their heart or have bypass surgery within the first six months after the procedure. We also advise our patients who are frequently hospitalized due to high blood pressure and heart failure despite taking regular medication, not to fast. On the other hand, we advise patients with hypertension and diabetes who are under control with treatment, or patients with cardiovascular disease and 6 months past, that they can fast, provided that they use their medications properly during sahur and iftar. At this point, our recommendations are individual; For this reason, the last word on fasting should be given by the patients and the doctors who follow them,” he said.
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30 MINUTES WALK AFTER IFTAR
Underlining that there are factors that cardiovascular patients should pay attention to in Ramadan, Prof. Dr. Taşolar continued his words as follows: “In recent scientific studies, especially in the data coming from the Far East, we see that fasting has positive effects on heart and body health. That’s why we know that people fast in their daily life, except during Ramadan. At this point, We recommend especially for patients who use drugs to plan their medication arrangements for iftar and sahur. At the point of nutrition, drinking plenty of fluids after iftar is very important for heart health. Sweets and pastries should be avoided as much as possible, plenty of fruit and vegetables should be eaten. Fish should be consumed once a week. Taking a brisk walk for at least 30 minutes after iftar will greatly reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
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