Cardiologists warn that too many people are getting heart disease when it should be preventable. Disorders of the heart and blood vessels that include coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, rheumatic heart disease, and other conditions are affecting young people every day.
Dr. Fulgencio Severeino, director of Cardiology at the
Hospital Salvador B. Gautier, a teaching public hospital, warned of the alarming prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in the Dominican Republic, as reported in Hoy. He pointed out that heart diseases are the leading cause of death in the country, representing 38.5% of all annual deaths.
He added that approximately half of these deaths occur in people under 70, underscoring the urgency of addressing this health problem at all ages.
55% of this percentage of deaths is attributed to coronary artery disease, claiming the lives of around 15,600 people yearly. In second place are cardiovascular accidents, which contribute to 11% of deaths in the country. According to Dr. Severino, these diseases are treatable, but extensive action is needed at the government level to prevent and effectively treat these problems.
«Primary prevention is key. This involves promoting a healthy lifestyle, which requires public policies that encourage exercise and physical activity. It is essential to guarantee security on the streets so that people can walk and exercise without fear of crime,” the doctor highlighted.
Severino emphasized the importance of addressing the way Dominicans eat. According to their estimates, 30% of cardiovascular diseases are related to poor diet. High carbohydrate consumption and the proliferation of fast foods with harmful fats are factors that contribute to weight gain, obesity and, consequently, cardiovascular diseases, he said.
Read more in Spanish:
Hoy
4 October 2023