World Heart Day encourages: Do not postpone a cardiologist appointment
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death on the Earth. Although modern medicine is able to avert many of their fatal consequences, prevention and eventually an informed prompt reaction remain absolutely crucial. That is why in 2000 the World Heart Day was declared by the World Federation of Hearts and the World Health Organization on September 29.
This year, cardiovascular diseases should be given even more attention to the fact that at the time of the pandemic COVID-19, cardiac patients face a double threat. They are more at risk when exposed to a new type of coronavirus, which in turn may lead to dangerous delays in seeking help. With this year’s subtitle #UseHeart, the campaign encourages, among other things, people to listen to their hearts and not allow COVID-19 to prevent their health care.
Likewise, people should „use heart“ in their lifestyle choices. „Prevention of heart diseases is relatively simple: do not smoke, consume alcohol only in small doses (1-3 dl / day better every day), maintain a reasonable weight, a healthy diet with reduced animal fat and exercise – ideal is fast walking, cycling and swimming,“ says prof. MUDr. Jiří Vítovec, CSc., FESC, from I. Department of Internal Cardioangiology, St. Anne’s University Hospital Brno and MF MU. He adds that the public should not neglect regular checks of blood pressure, cholesterol and sugar. „It goes without saying that viruses and other diseases do not pass through,“ warns the cardiologist.
Cardiovascular diseases are also one of the main directions of research in The International Clinical Research Center of St. Anne’s University Hospital Brno (FNUSA-ICRC). The development of new diagnostic procedures and treatment methods is dealt with by the teams Acute Coronary Syndromes, Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology (info about Czech patent here) or Cardiovascular system – mechanobiology and others.
One of the projects is Kardiovize Brno 2030, which is the only cardiovascular prevention program in Central and Eastern Europe based on population analysis. You can read about the main goals of the project in an interview here.
The other one, HOBIT, runed by Stroke Team, also helps with education in the field of cardiovascular diseases and it aims primarily on children. „There are several reasons why. Cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack, are affecting younger and younger people. It is therefore important to educate them not only about prevention, but also about the manifestations and the correct response to the disease,“ explains the program coordinator Ing. Hana Maršálková.
The HOBIT did not stop even in times of crisis, it went online and it is possible to complete it remotely. „The program is freely available to all schools and is also completely undemanding. After registration, the teacher passes the access data to the students, starts e-learning and then just enjoys the results of the class. For teachers who are interested in cardio and cerebrovascular diseases, however, we have prepared an accredited course in cooperation with the MU Faculty of Education, which will take place remotely on 15 October and 24 November, ”added Hana Maršálková.
