Cardiologist explained the increase in cardiovascular diseases

A sedentary lifestyle negatively affects the condition of blood vessels and the heart and can lead to cardiovascular diseases. But there are ways to prevent pathologies and increase the effectiveness of treatment. Evgenia Bogaevskaya, a cardiologist at the UNKP-Med Medical Center, told the publication on Saturday, April 19.Газета.Ru ".

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over the past three decades, deaths from cardiovascular diseases have increased by 50%. Every year, more than 17 million people die from these diseases worldwide, and about 800 thousand in Russia.

As the expert pointed out, one of the key reasons for such statistics is physical inactivity — a sedentary lifestyle that worsens the condition of blood vessels and heart muscles, contributes to obesity and the development of diabetes.

"Many studies show that a significant increase in morbidity is associated with the environment. Acute stress and our bad habits increase the load on the heart. Heredity plays an equally important role: you are at risk if your parents had similar problems," warned Bogaevskaya.

According to the doctor, the most common disease of the cardiovascular system is ischemic disease, which accounts for up to 54% of deaths in Russia. It is followed by arrhythmia, hypertension and heart failure, the source added.

Bogaevskaya clarified that drug therapy remains the main treatment method, but its effectiveness does not always meet expectations. The reasons may be different: incorrect dosage, addiction to the drug, or individual body characteristics, the expert listed.

Often the problem lies in the behavior of the patients themselves — many arbitrarily adjust doses, replace medications with analogues, break the diet or skip taking pills, the doctor noted.

The cardiologist stressed that bad habits also reduce the effectiveness of treatment. Alcohol is incompatible with many medications, and nicotine narrows blood vessels, preventing the penetration of active substances into tissues. Therapy will give results only with strict adherence to medical prescriptions, recalled Bogaevskaya.

As a supplement to the treatment, the specialist recommended a non—invasive method - enhanced external counterpulsation (UNCP). This procedure involves applying compressed air cuffs to the lower extremities and pelvis, which improves blood circulation, prevents congestion, and stimulates tissue repair. UNCP has a positive effect on the heart and brain, reducing the risk of ischemia, strokes and memory impairment, the doctor explained.

At the same time, Bogaevskaya warned that the method does not replace surgery and is not used in acute conditions. It is effective as a preventive measure or during rehabilitation after surgery. UNCP is prescribed to patients with vascular lesions, hypertension, previous heart attacks or strokes.

The best protection for the heart remains a healthy lifestyle: regular physical activity, a balanced diet and abstinence from smoking and alcohol. These simple measures significantly reduce the risk of developing serious diseases, the expert concluded.

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On April 18, Roman Goloshchapov-Aksenov, MD, a cardiovascular surgeon at the SM Clinic, told Izvestia that coronary heart disease develops due to impaired blood supply to the heart muscle. According to the specialist, when walking fast, climbing stairs and emotional stress, a person suffering from uncomplicated coronary artery disease feels discomfort, pain or burning behind the sternum in the heart area, sweating, palpitations, dizziness, which disappear within 1-3 minutes during rest.