Denizli Private Egekent Hospital Cardiovascular Surgery Specialist Prof. Dr. Bilgin Emrecan pointed out that nearly 19 million people die from cardiovascular diseases every year in the world and stated that heart attacks progress differently in diabetic patients.
Pointing out that heart attack is one of the most fatal diseases among cardiovascular diseases, Denizli Private Egekent Hospital Cardiovascular Surgery Specialist Prof. Dr. Bilgin Emrecan warned citizens against heart attack. Prof. Dr. Emrecan said, “30 percent of diabetic patients have a hidden heart attack. The most feared and most common of cardiovascular diseases is heart attack. A heart attack is pain in the center of the chest, palpitations, shortness of breath, sudden loss of consciousness. Stomach pain, nausea and heartburn are seen especially in young people.”
Prof. Dr. Emrecan warned that one of the most important symptoms of a heart attack is pain and said, “The pain related to the vessels of the heart is more specific and this pain has a certain character. If a heart vessel is not 100 percent blocked, the patient feels pain while moving. The oxygen demand of the heart increases and this kind of pain occurs. The pain is in the center of the chest. It is not on the right or left. If this pain is burning, it radiates towards the jaw and the left arm, towards the left shoulder. So there is a radiation pattern. If the pain is related to exertion, i.e. if it is the pain of a vessel that is not 100 percent blocked, the pain goes away after 3 to 5 minutes after the patient is at rest or the patient is relieved with sublingual medication. However, a more severe form of this is a 100 percent blockage of the heart artery. In this case, the pain is still in the center of the chest and radiates to the left arm, left shoulder and lower jaw. It is accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The pain lasts for more than half an hour. The pain also extends to the back. This kind of pain is typical heart attack pain. Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death both in our country and around the world. Nearly 19 million people die from cardiovascular diseases every year. Pointing out that in 30 percent of diabetic patients, a heart attack occurs without any pain, Prof. Dr. Emrecan said, “(Silent heart attack) can manifest itself in a way we call ‘hidden heart attack’. We should especially pay attention to these patients.”
Ways to prevent a heart attack
Drawing attention to the risk factors in heart attack, Denizli Private Egekent Hospital Cardiovascular Surgery Specialist Prof. Dr. Bilgin Emrecan said, “Smoking is the leading risk factor. It is especially important to move, because inactivity causes metabolic syndrome, which brings cardiovascular diseases along with weight gain. Again, we must control diabetes. Hypertension paves the way for cardiovascular diseases. We should especially avoid ready-made, processed, additive foods and sugary foods. Even if there are genetic factors, we can reduce cardiovascular diseases by up to 50 percent when we eliminate modifiable risk factors. This applies to men, women, the old and the young. Moving a lot, eating less and treating risk factors is one way to overcome cardiovascular diseases. I recommend them to do light sports and walking, especially without heavy sports.”
Critical age 40
Underlining that those who have a parent under the age of 50 who had a heart attack are at risk, Prof. Dr. Emrecan made the following warnings:
“If the person has these risk factors, it is very important to reduce other risks. If they smoke, they should quit smoking, and if they have high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol, these should be taken under control. These people should definitely be checked in their 40s. Cardiovascular patients should eat as much vegetables and fruits as possible and avoid fatty foods.”
