📩 29/09/2023 13:13
Bayındır Health Group, Bayındır Söğütözü Hospital Cardiology Department Head Prof. Dr. Erdem Diker also gave information about why it is necessary to be friends with a cardiologist.
According to World Health Organization data, 32 percent of all deaths in the world occur due to cardiovascular diseases. When we look at the data in our country, it is seen that 36 percent of all deaths occur due to cardiovascular diseases.
Stating that premature deaths due to cardiovascular diseases can be reduced by 80 percent with the help of measures to be taken, Bayındır Söğütözü Hospital Cardiology Department Head Prof. Dr. Erdem Diker said the following about ways to have a healthier heart:
“Quitting smoking: Quitting smoking before the age of 45 reduces premature deaths by 90 percent compared to those who continue to smoke. It is known that even quitting smoking after the age of 65 reduces deaths by 20 percent.
Exercising regularly: Taking 6000-9000 steps a day reduces the problems related to cardiovascular diseases by 2000 percent compared to those who take 50 steps or less.
Lose weight: For overweight people, losing even 5-10 percent of their body weight reduces the problems related to cardiovascular diseases by 20-30 percent.
Eating healthy: Mediterranean diet, DASH or the newfangled MIND diet... Whatever it is called, a diet based on vegetables, unprocessed grains and olive oil is good for our heart.”
“Become friends with your cardiologist”
On World Heart Day, Prof. also gave information about heart diseases. Dr. Erdem Diker said, “When we consider heart diseases, the issue of blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol comes to the fore. Having our blood pressure below 140 and 90 mm Hg, and preferably HbA1c, which indicates the long-term sugar level, below 6 percent, promises a long-term and healthy heart. Regarding cholesterol, lower cholesterol means better cardiovascular health. When necessary, you should not avoid using cholesterol-lowering medications recommended by your doctor regularly. Blood tests, ECG, ECHO, EXERCISE tests, imaging of the heart vessels if necessary, and ultrasound control of the jugular veins and aorta provide early diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases. In short, for a long life and a healthy heart, it is necessary to get along well with the cardiologist. "I recommend staying friends with a heart doctor to manage risk factors, early diagnosis of the disease, early prevention and treatment," he said.