90% of heart disease can be prevented: how to do it?

Ninety percent of the nearly 18 million cases of heart disease worldwide could be prevented if people adopted a healthier diet, exercised regularly and did not smoke, says an expert from the Cleveland Clinic, a major American hospital, before World Heart Day on September 29.

“Heart disease is 90 percent treatable. Heart disease can be prevented . Even if a person has a family history of heart disease, with incredible advances in medicine, we can prevent and treat heart disease. ” dice el Dr. Jose Navia, director de Cleveland Clinic Florida’s Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Center.

Worldwide, cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death, accounting for three-quarters of these deaths in low- and middle-income countries, according to the World Health Organization. 85% of these cardiovascular disease deaths were due to heart attacks and strokes. Risk factors include unhealthy diets, little physical activity, smoking, alcoholism, and pollution.

“It is important to begin the prevention of heart disease in childhood, with cholesterol tests starting at the age of seven. We want children, with the help of their parents, to learn about the importance of aNavia notes. “Prevention must begin in childhood.”

Industry guidelines, such as those from the American Heart Association, recommend that blood pressure tests begin at age 20 and be done every year. and stroke, but usually has no symptoms and needs to be measured to confirm.

Patients should have their cholesterol checked at least every five years and more often if there are risk factors. In addition, their body mass index should be tested to see if they are at a healthy body weight and their blood glucose levels should be measured to see if they are at risk for diabetes, which can also be a factor that

Dr. Navia commented that women have additional risk factors: “People with autoimmune disorders, such as type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis or lupus, have a higher risk of heart disease, and 80% of people with autoimmune diseases are women.”

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