Share:
Risk Factor Hypertension is far too often underestimated
From 1st to 30th of November the "Herzwochen 2016" will take place in Germany. Under the motto "Heart under stress", cardiologists will be providing nationwide free seminars and lectures on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Due to the growing importance, psychological stress is also a risk factor.
Herzwochen takes place until the 30th of November
Since the 1st of November, numerous events have taken place throughout the Federal Republic of Germany in the context of the Herzwochen 2016. As the German Heart Foundation reports, cardiac specialists inform under the title "heart under stress" in clinics and heart centers about the most important pre-existing diseases for cardiovascular diseases and their development. These include mainly myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure and arrhythmia (atrial fibrillation).
High blood pressure is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. (Image: Andrey Popov / fotolia.com) Mental stress can increase the disease risk
Due to its growing importance as a risk factor, it also addresses negative stress. Because not only physical risks, but also psychological stress, e.g. through professional problems or life crises can harm the heart.
"In order for our heart to pump 7,000 liters of blood through our vascular system every day to provide organs and muscles with oxygen and nutrients, we need to protect the heart and blood vessels from the vascular damaging effects of high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol and stress," says the cardiologist and Chairman of the Board of the Deutsche Herzstiftung, Prof. Dr. med. med. Thomas Meinertz, according to the message.
4 million people do not know about their hypertension
According to the Foundation, an estimated 20 million adults in Germany are affected by high blood pressure (hypertension) - a fifth of them, however, know nothing about the disease. It is particularly dangerous that hypertension is often unnoticed for a long time and therefore not recognized until damage to the organs has already occurred.
Great danger to heart and vessels
Diabetes mellitus and elevated cholesterol levels are other conditions that are often underestimated and often diagnosed very late due to missing symptoms. But the diseases known as "silent killers" can have fatal consequences, warns the Herzstiftung. Undetected and untreated, they pose a risk to the heart and vascular system and can lead to a heart attack, stroke or sudden cardiac death in an emergency.
"This freedom from symptoms leads to taking the diseases lightly and neglecting therapy. Even if patients are in treatment, they are often not receiving sufficient treatment because the medication is not well prepared, "reports Prof. Meinertz.
Everyone should know about personal risk factors
However, if the diagnosis is made early, the diseases should be treated well with medication and lifestyle changes. High blood pressure, for example, can often be positively influenced by the normalization of body weight, regular endurance exercise and a healthy, low-salt diet.
It is important for everyone to know about their personal risk factors in order to be able to reduce their own risk of cardiovascular disease at an early age by making changes to their lifestyles, emphasizes the foundation. (No)