Disease of Heart and Vessels

Cardiovascular and vascular diseases are main health problem in developed world, while in developing countries there is a characteristic epidemiological transition towards these group of diseases. In Croatia, as well as in whole Central-Eats Europe cardiovascular diseases have epidemic size, with increased morbidity, up to 5 times higher mortality, decreased average life expectation and the worst - earlier age of the acute cardiovascular attacks in men. Each man and woman after the age 40 and 45 years has to perform all necessary measures for prevention of all risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.

Main risk factors for heart and vascular diseases are high blood pressure, smoking, high blood cholesterol and low physical activity.

Alarming symptoms:

• Oscillations or elevation of arterial blood pressure, headaches, attacks of head tension, uneasiness or pain around heart area radiating to neck, arms (left arm) or upper stomach in the rest or effort, lack of breath during physical activities, dizzines, any abnormal heart rhythm, tiredness at low effort, loss of the balance or the consciousness, transient weakness in the limbs or problems with the speech.

• Control of blood lipids, especially cholesterol, once per year; following all physicians recommendations and regular medical check-ups.

• Arterial blood pressure should not be higher than 140/90 mmHg and at diabetic patients not more than 130/80 mmHg. The only exception are the patients after cerebrovascular insult which require mildly elevated levels, but under physicians guidance. There is no "mild" hypertension, there are always deleterious consequenes on the heart, brain, eyes, kindney and all blood vessels.

• Smoking and nicotine is evidence based medicine "killer", toxic substance having detrimental influence on faster development of the heart, vascular and pulmonary diseases. Stop of smoking gives important rewarding improvements of heart, vascular and pulmonary diseases and overall wellbeing of the body.

• Regular physical activity - brisk walking (4-5 times a week for 45 minutes) is the best prevention for cardiovascular diseases, arterial blood pressure, lipid and sugar abnormalities as well as to general physical performance and decrease of the stress. Walking, jogging, swimming and bycicling are the only real aerobic types of the exercise improving cardiorespiratory capacity. However, each and any physical activity is better than sedentary life.

• Light diet - Mediterranean type with non-animals fats, lot of fish, vegetables and fruits. Drinking about 2l of water is also very important.

• Optimal body weight (roughly - the height minus 100) is important factor in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases as well as degenerative muscle-skeletal diseases.

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