05:09, 30/09/2014

Creating heart-healthy environments

This year, World Heart Day's theme is creating heart-healthy environments...

This year, World Heart Day’s theme is creating heart-healthy environments, delivering a message of reducing cardiovascular risk and promoting a heart-healthy planet.

According to the World health Organization, cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death, killing 17.5 million people a year. Factors leading to cardiovascular diseases include hypertension, hypercholesteraemia, atherosclerosis, obesity, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol, etc.

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Khanh Hoa General Hospital’s Cardiovascular Department.

Dr. Tran Thi Nhu Nam, Deputy Head of Khanh Hoa General Hospital’s Cardiovascular Department says ischemic cardiac injury is a silent killer disease, very dangerous to health.

Khanh Hoa General Hospital’s Cardiovascular Department is usually overloaded with nearly 190 arrivals a day. Most of them are hospitalized in serious conditions, stroke (50%) and coronary heart disease (over 30%).

39,000 arrivals were reported to have cardiovascular examination at Khanh Hoa General Hospital in 2012. The figure increased to 41,000 in 2013 and 20,000 in the first 8 months of 2014.

Le Tran Anh Thi, Head of Department of Polyclinic, says cardiovascular patients continue to increase in cold weather. Severe patients have to be treated at the Intervention Cardiovascular Department.

5 out of 10 serious cases at Khanh Hoa General Hospital suffer from hemorrhagic stroke. Heart disease and stroke are the top causes of not only death but also impairment.

It is vital to keep good control of cardiovascular disease risk factors such as high blood pressure, hypercholesteraemia, diabetes, etc, according to Professor PhD-Associate Professor Tran Van Huy, Chief of Cardiovascular Department, Chairman of Khanh Hoa Cardiovascular Association.

Prevention includes quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, etc to reduce the burden of heart diseases and stroke and ensure longer and better lives.

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