Every year, September 29 is commemorated as World Heart Day to draw attention to heart health. Precautions for heart patients to take during seasonal transitions are vital: “Flu vaccination should be done before winter begins, doctor check-ups should not be neglected, salt consumption should be paid attention to, and smoking should be stopped.”
Üsküdar University NPİSTANBUL Brain Hospital Cardiology Specialist Prof.Dr. Mehmet Baltalı drew attention to the precautions to be taken by heart patients.
Flu vaccine should be taken
During seasonal transitions Stating that common flu diseases cause serious problems, especially in heart patients, Prof.Dr. Mehmet Baltalı said, “Hospitalization of heart patients occurs much more frequently in the winter months. For this purpose, especially before the winter season, between October and November, patients with heart failure, that is, whose hearts do not work sufficiently, and elderly patients, need to get a flu vaccine every year; "These patients should also receive the pneumococcal vaccine against the pneumococcal bacteria that causes pneumonia," he warned.
Drugs need to be regulated
Prof. Dr. Mehmet Baltalı emphasized that medications should be rearranged during seasonal transitions. Prof. Dr. Baltalı said, “Risk factors such as heart disease, blood pressure and sugar should be re-evaluated, high cholesterol levels should be controlled and related medications should be rearranged. "Especially at the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, heart patients should come for a doctor's check-up," he said.
Smoking should be stopped
Prof emphasizes that heart patients must quit smoking and pay attention to their nutrition. Dr. Mehmet Baltalı said:
“We recommend that heart patients quit smoking first. Secondly, we recommend that they pay attention to their cholesterol, that is, their nutrition. Heart patients should stay away from trans fats. Red meat consumption should be careful. It is necessary to be careful to use fish, vegetables, legumes and olive oil, especially extra virgin olive oil. They should especially stay away from fatty meat and offal.”
&n bsp;
Doctors' advice must be followed
Prof also stated that doctors' recommendations must be followed. Dr. Mehmet Baltalı said, “We recommend that heart patients regularly use the medications prescribed by their doctors and follow their recommendations. Blood pressure is also very important in heart patients. Blood pressure should not increase in any way. If your blood pressure has reached normal limits after taking medication, you should continue taking those medications and never stop taking them. Very often we observe the following incorrect behavior in patients; The patient takes the medicine for 20-25 days and then does not continue with the second box because my blood pressure dropped. Patients should not do this. "He should not stop taking his medication unless the doctor tells him to, and he should go as often as the doctor calls," he said.
The risk increases in the morning hours
Prof. stated that the risk of heart attack occurs 24 hours a day, but especially in the morning hours when it occurs more frequently. Dr. Mehmet Baltalı said, “The risk of heart attack is higher between 08:00 and 11:00 in the morning. Because the heart rate increases during these hours. Heart rate slows down during sleep. After waking up, the heart rate increases. “Increased heart rate before a heart attack appears to be a factor that triggers it.” he said.
Salt consumption should be limited
Those who have a family history of heart disease have a higher rate of coronary artery disease. Stating that there is a risk of being caught, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Baltalı pointed out that excessive salt consumption should also be restricted. Prof. dr. Baltalı said, “Those whose parents or siblings had a heart attack at an early age or died due to coronary artery disease have a higher risk of having heart disease than those who did not. These people should especially not smoke, pay attention to their cholesterol, and take precautions if they have high blood pressure. It is necessary to ensure that blood pressure remains at normal values. Blood pressure patients should limit their salt consumption. Salt usage rate is very high in Turkey.”
Have a health check before sports
Exercise for those with heart disease in their family Stating that they need to undergo medical check-up before doing this, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Baltalı also emphasized the importance of sports for heart health. Prof. dr. Baltalı said:
“Deaths due to heart disease can be caused not only by heart attack but also by another disease. Officially licensed people who will do sports must in any case be examined by a cardiologist. Apart from that, it is important to exercise and move. Those who do sports and are active are less likely to suffer from heart disease. Walking is especially recommended. I recommend walking for at least 20 minutes 4 days a week. People should choose the sport they will do by considering it. For heart health, we especially recommend sports such as swimming, walking and tennis. However, sports such as weightlifting, boxing, bodybuilding and wrestling are not recommended for heart health. Those who have heart disease in their family; They should go to the doctor, listen carefully to the doctor's recommendations, not smoke, eat healthy and exercise.”
Read: 0
