From coronary heart disease to heart attacks and heart failure: heart disease is the most common cause of death in Germany. “The fact that so many people came this evening is not so wrong,” said Norbert Frey, Professor of Cardiology at Heidelberg University Hospital, commenting on the interest in his lecture. 400 listeners were seated in front of him in the lecture hall of the head clinic – exactly as many as are allowed there. The most recent edition of “Medicine in the Evening”, the joint series of events run by the Rhein-Neckar-Zeitung and the University Hospital, was dedicated to the heart and its diseases.
From coronary heart disease to heart attacks and heart failure: heart disease is the most common cause of death in Germany. “The fact that so many people came this evening is not so wrong,” said Norbert Frey, Professor of Cardiology at Heidelberg University Hospital, commenting on the interest in his lecture. 400 listeners were seated in front of him in the lecture hall of the head clinic – exactly as many as are allowed there. The most recent edition of “Medicine in the Evening”, the joint series of events run by the Rhein-Neckar-Zeitung and the University Hospital, was dedicated to the heart and its diseases.
“Cardiology is the heart of internal medicine,” explained Prof. Markus Weigand from the clinic board in his welcome address. Frey used the evening to equip his audience with all sorts of knowledge about the prevention and treatment of heart disease. He not only knew how to explain all of this in an understandable way, but also presented it clearly with illustrations, graphics or images from the CT, so that he not only informed the visitors comprehensively, but also entertained them well. Although the topic is serious, there was little gloom on Thursday evening, as Frey placed positive developments at the center of his lecture. This included the fact that mortality due to heart attacks has been falling for years, that stents for stabilizing vessels have become better (“we almost only use drug-coated stents, which prevent vessels from narrowing again”) and that the procedures are becoming increasingly gentler for patients – Heart valve prostheses can now increasingly be placed in place by pushing them through the patient’s vessels using a catheter (“Tavi procedure”).
It is also encouraging that it is never too late to adjust your own risk. “A 70-year-old has a four percent chance of living to 90 if all risk factors are present,” said Frey: high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, a genetic risk, diabetes, obesity, lack of exercise, cigarette consumption. If none of the risk factors are present, the chances are already 54 percent. “It’s always worth taking action,” summed up the cardiologist – you can influence some things. However, even healthy, sporty 40-year-olds can suffer a heart attack. “All studies show: There is a direct connection between heart attacks and LDL cholesterol.” How the level can be lowered also concerned the audience, who peppered him with questions about it. Frey referred to statins and other medications in the form of tablets or injections. Sport also has a beneficial effect – but only in moderation. One conclusion of the evening is that it is better not to follow Winston Churchill’s example. When asked how he got so old, the British statesman is said to have replied: “No sport, just women and whiskey.”
Contribution: Julia Lauer, RNZ
