Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death and disability worldwide. In Mexico, these diseases are among the five main causes of death nationwide. According to INEGI, heart diseases were the first cause of death with 91,787 cases in the period from January to June 2023, followed by diabetes mellitus with 55,885 and cancer with 45,409 cases; that means that around 525 people die from heart disease every day in our country and most of them from myocardial infarction. Major cardiovascular diseases include a series of disorders that affect the heart and blood vessels. Some of these are:Ischemic heart diseases, angina pectoris or heart attack and they account for 80% of cases. 

Heart failure

Stroke

Heart arrhythmias

Hypertensive illnesses 

These diseases share similar risk factors, such as high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, diabetes mellitus, smoking, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, stress and an increasingly important thing is environmental pollution. Also the use of substances like cocaine, glass or alcoholism. Both sexes are affected and women in particular are more likely to suffer from from 55 years of age or after menopause. 

The problem with heart disease is that it is still very difficult to spot signs in people without symptoms, however, the best way to treat heart disease is with prevention.

The basic:

1. Eat healthfully. Consume vegetables and fruits, reduce salt and avoid meat foods, high calorie products and processed or industrialized foods.

2. Keep physically active, 30 to 45 minutes of activity 5 days a week.

3. Keep a healthy weight.

4. Do not smoke and avoid smokers.

5. Reduce the time spent outdoors.

6. Check your cholesterol and blood pressure.

7. Control your stress.

8. Reduce alcohol use and avoid drugs.      

WHAT DISCOMFORTMENTS OR SYMPTOMS MIGHT I HAVE IF I AM WITH A CARDIAC PROBLEM? 

The most common complaint is discomfort, pain or tightness in the center of the chest, may also spread to the arms, neck, or back, including the jaw. It is usually short (minutes) and It is not localized or picket like. It is more common efforts, although it also happens without them.

Another common complaint, especially in women, is shortness of breath when faced with any minimal activity or not tolerating efforts that were previously made.

Less common are palpitations, or the feeling of uncomfortable to feel heartbeat. The syncope or sudden unconsciousness is also a sign of alarm.

WHAT STUDIES OR TESTS CAN I DO TO ASSESS MY HEART?

An annual check-up is the minimum that every adult over 40 years of age should have, with their respective medical history, comprehensive physical examination, laboratory tests that include cholesterol levels and their fractions of HDL or good cholesterol and LDL or bad cholesterol, the triglycerides, ultra-sensitive C-reactive protein, which signals vascular inflammation. Troponin, which indicates inflammation of the heart. A blood chemistry of 25 elements or more would help us to know the function of the kidneys, the liver and the metabolic state.

The electrocardiogram is basic and shows us electrical activity of the heart and can guide us to detect any abnormality. But a normal study does not rule out hidden disease.

Ambulatory Holter monitoring is a continuous electrocardiogram recording for 24 hours or for several days if necessary, and allows us to identify cardiac rhythm alterations and the appearance of changes in lack of cardiac irrigation.

The echocardiogram or cardiac ultrasound shows us the internal structure of the heart and helps us understand how it works. It allows us to see valves, study murmurs and detect previous infarctions.

If we want to identify the possibility of having clogged heart arteries, there are various very useful tests, the simplest being the stress test, which can be walking on a treadmill or with intravenous medication if the person cannot walk.

A coronary CT angiogram can show us the arteries of the heart and reveal plaque buildup and identify blockages in the arteries, which can later cause a heart attack.

The most objective study to see the arteries of the heart is cardiac catheterization and consists of introducing a thin plastic tube through the artery of the wrist or leg, taking it to the heart and with imaging techniques and injecting Using a dye, the arteries are observed and the severity of the obstructions is appreciated, also allowing them to be unclogged by placing a stent or metal mesh and thus improving flow, symptoms and quality of life.

WHAT TO DO THEN?

We have to raise awareness and be clear that the majority of heart conditions are preventable. If we correctly attend to the points related to risk factors, we would save ourselves from developing heart disease, putting our lives at risk and avoiding having to undergo a catheterization. or heart surgery. The cheapest medicine is preventive and treatments for heart disease are very expensive. Finally, having heart disease and controlling it with modern treatments is bearable with a normal and full life.

Dr. LEONARDO MONGE RANGEL

Surgeon, specialist in heart diseases and arterial hypertension.

Adress: Plaza España – Av. Francisco I. Madero 1290, Segunda, 21100 Mexicali, B.C.

Appointments: (686) 553 4744