It works non-stop, pumps blood and drives the whole body – The heart is one of the most important organs in our body. It is worth taking care of it, especially on World Heart Day, which falls today (29 September).

Diseases Hearts – where do they come from?

Cardiovascular diseases rarely appear overnight day. Most often, they are the result of long-term, incorrect habits. Sedentary lifestyle, lack of exercise, improper diet, stimulants – alcohol, nicotine, Designer drugs or stress are the main factors leading to hypertension, high cholesterol, and consequently to a heart attack or stroke – points out Dr Mikołaj Cywoniuk, a specialist in internal medicine and sports medicine.

"A sedentary lifestyle is a total risk factor cardiovascular events. This leads to an increase in cholesterol, glycemia, hypertension and obesity. We also eat in a way that incorrect. We leave the store with a huge amount of colorful drinks – saturated with sugars and toxic compounds. In addition, there are stimulants and reaching for unhealthy food. The role of stress in the risk of events cardiovascular is also very, very large. Anxiety, stress adversely It affects our body, the heart and the nervous system."

Importantly, eating errors and lack of exercise can begin to early childhood, and their consequences make themselves felt in adult life.

Worrying Statistics

The situation in Poland in the field of cardiovascular diseases for years remains serious. Although it might seem that advanced medicine will solve the This problem, the reality looks completely different. Statistics on cardiovascular diseases are not optimistic:

• about 11 million Poles struggle with hypertension,
• about 3.5 million people suffer from diabetes,
• over 60% of the population has an elevated level of "bad" cholesterol (LDL),
• more than 50% of the population is overweight or obesity.

Prevention, instead of treatment

Today, Polish cardiology and cardiac surgery stand on the world-class level. We have access to modern diagnostics and advanced treatment. So why does the problem persist? As Dr Mikołaj Cywoniuk, the key lies in the lack of compliance with the basic preventive recommendations. As the doctor indicates, movement is the best medicine without Recipes:

"Today, in our cardiology recommendations, we clearly and It is clearly said that one of the drugs is physical activity. Will it be jogging, whether it will be walking, whether it will be walking, whether it will be a bicycle, whether it be swimming, any form of physical activity has a beneficial effect on circulatory system. […] The beneficial effect of physical activity has been around for a long time accentuated, but unfortunately, it is very difficult to introduce it."

In addition to a daily dose of exercise, an equally important element is proper nutrition and hydration of the body.

"Apart from activity, nutrition is another problem. It is difficult to implement these basic health-promoting habits. We can see how fast food and how many ready-made, sweetened drinks we buy. And it is enough to say: Let's drink water or natural juices. Changing these simple habits to health-promoting practices is slowly entering our lives, but we have to keep talking about it and replicating it." – adds Dr. Cywoniuk.

When to go to see a doctor and what tests to perform?

Hypertension, slightly elevated sugar levels or cholesterol for a long time may not give any symptoms. As Dr Mikołaj Cywoniuk, we often come too late for advice:

"We start treating too late when our body is already damaged in some way [...] Today we are talking about it clearly: significantly before that, a visit to the general practitioner, usually a diagnosis, then a diagnosis and treatment. Do not wait with treatment until organ complications appear."

To take care of your health, the first step should be a visit to a Primary Care physician who will order a basic package follow-up examinations including, m.in: blood count and urine test, glucose, lipidogram and ionogram, creatinine and other test, if considered it appropriate.

The family doctor will refer the patient to the appropriate specialists who will guide him further and tell him what to do how to proceed and make recommendations. – adds Dr. Cywoniuk.

Take care of the your heart... today

On World Heart Day, which falls today (29 September), it is worth take the first step towards improving your health. It's worth starting small steps such as walking, eating healthier, avoiding unnecessary stress and elimination of stimulants.

"Let's remember: let's take care of our mental health and physical. The basic beneficial factor is wisely controlled activity physical health and proper nutrition. We take soft shoes, go out to the We take a walk, get on a bike. It really works" – sums up Dr. Cywoniuk.

You can read more about free prevention programs read on the website of the Ministry of Health: https://www.gov.pl/web/zdrowie/bezplatne-programy-profilaktyczne

The material was created in cooperation with Dr. Mikołaj Cywoniuk – specialist in internal medicine and sports medicine.

On the occasion of World Heart Day, we would like to express our sincere thanks to Cardiologists, Cardiac Surgeons, Emergency Medicine Doctors, Anesthesiologists, Cardiac Nurses, Paramedics, Physiotherapists and all healthcare professionals involved in caring for the health and lives of patients.

Thank you for your knowledge, experience, professionalism and daily readiness to help. We wish that your profession brings you a sense of meaning and satisfaction, and that every day of work is a source of conviction that your knowledge and presence have a real meaning for other people.