Heart problems cause the death of millions of people each year. Currently, in the Western world there are three “epidemics”: ischemic heart disease (coronary heart disease), atrial fibrilation (the most frequent arrhythmia we encounter in clinical practice) and heart failure (the consequence of different cardiac pathologies when they evolve). Diseases of the heart valves (valvulopathies)-especially senile calcified degeneration of the aortic valve-are also becoming increasingly frequent.
The causes of these diseases are, above all, the pursuit of an unhealthy lifestyle. These bad habits have led, for example, to the large increase in ischemic heart disease. Smoking, hypertension (especially if poorly controlled), high cholesterol and lack of physical exercise are conducive to the appearance and development of these conditions. In the case of atrial fibrilation, it is also increasing due to these factors and because it is an arrhythmia that increases in prevalence with age, and the age of the population is increasing.
Treatment
Logically, each pathology has a specific treatment. In some cases it is necessary to undergo surgery and in others it is not. For example, when one of the coronary arteries is “blocked” and shows symptoms, it can be “unblocked” by performing a catheterization (angioplasty) and placing a stent if necessary. Sometimes, however, surgical intervention is required with the placement of coronary bypasses.
On other occasions, the person must take medication based on drugs, as in the case of atrial fibrillation, which is usually treated with antiarrhythmic drugs and anticoagulants to prevent embolisms. Heart failure is also usually controlled with drugs, and sometimes pacemakers or special implantable defibrillators can be used to help pump the diseased heart.
Prevention
In any case, to keep the heart and arteries in good condition, it is essential to follow a balanced diet, control excess weight, monitor hypercholesterolemia (if we have it), control arterial hypertension and, as the first factor to take into account, completely quit smoking.