- In the context of World Heart Day, celebrated yesterday, specialists recall that the factors that increase cardiovascular risk are also related to tobacco, alcohol, chronic stress, excess weight, diabetes, hypertension or cholesterol.
- Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, killing nearly 18 million people each year.
Cardiologists from the Ribera healthcare group recommend a healthy diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, proteins and fiber; regular exercise to reduce LDL cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol) and increase HDL ("good" cholesterol), as well as to help maintain a healthy weight; and good sleep hygiene. "Sleeping less than 6-7 hours a night on a regular basis can increase blood pressure, inflammation and predisposition to metabolic diseases, all related to the risk of heart disease," says Dr. Matías Pérez-Paredes, cardiologist at the Ribera Healthcare Group. Practitioner, the health subsidiary of the healthcare group Ribera in the Region of Murcia.
In the context of World Heart Day, which is celebrated every 29 September, specialists from the Ribera group remind us of some of the cardiovascular risk factors that citizens should avoid, including excessive tobacco and alcohol consumption, chronic stress, excess weight, diabetes, hypertension and cholesterol. The latter are related to an unhealthy diet and a sedentary lifestyle, among others, and are often the trigger for many heart diseases. That is why they recommend avoiding diets rich in saturated fats, salt and sugars and opting for “unsaturated fats, present in fish, avocados, nuts and olive oil, one of the pillars for protecting cardiovascular health”, as explained by Dr. Pérez-Paredes.
Jose Antonio Gines Caro, cardiologist at the clinic Mar Menor Pinatar Riverbank stresses the importance of doing physical activity frequently. “It is a key element in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, because it has been shown to reduce mortality from them. The recommendation is to do at least 150 minutes per week of moderate or intense aerobic exercise, at least 75 minutes per week of vigorous exercise or a combined equivalent. In addition, it is important to have a thorough medical history to rule out the presence of heart disease, along with an EGC and echocardiogram.”
As regards some of the factors that cause the most damage to cardiovascular health, Dr Pérez-Paredes focuses on smoking. “Smoking has a direct relationship with vascular disease and accelerates the process of atherosclerosis, to which we must add its harmful effects on the lungs and other organs, where it contributes to the development of cancer,” he explains.
And among the habits that this specialist recommends keeping a close eye on, in addition to sleep hygiene, he highlights emotional health and pollution. “Emotional well-being plays a protective role in our heart. Reducing stress levels and controlling anxiety have a significant impact on cardiovascular health, which is why it is important to pay attention to this vital aspect, both in primary prevention and in patients affected by heart disease,” he explains. He also reminds us that “the tiny particles that form part of city pollution pass into the bloodstream and damage the inner walls of blood vessels, causing them to narrow and harden,” he says. For this reason, he recommends reducing the impact of pollution on cardiovascular health by walking or cycling as much as possible and avoiding streets with traffic and highly polluted areas.”
The Ribera health group has a heart area, which provides a differential value in the panorama of the comprehensive approach to cardiovascular problems of patients, with the best specialists of the group working together in the most complex cases, as well as services and clinics specialized in heart health, such as Cardiosalus.
World Heart Day Reels https://www.instagram.com/p/DAfoQSwsbbz/
