Acıbadem University Atakent Hospital Cardiology Specialist Prof. Dr. Ahmet Karabulut told what must be known about heart health and made important warnings and suggestions.
Healthy lifestyle more effective than drugs
Emphasizing that a healthy lifestyle is more effective than drugs in preventing heart diseases, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Karabulut said, “Heart diseases are chronic, that is, long-term diseases. Therefore, the main goal should be disease prevention. Drug treatment is applied to people diagnosed with the disease. Prevention of the disease is possible with a healthy lifestyle. A significant reduction in the risk of developing heart diseases can be achieved by regular exercise, ideal weight, Mediterranean type diet, avoidance of tobacco and alcohol, quality sleep and reducing the stress load.
Pay attention to your diet
Cardiology Specialist Prof. Dr. Ahmet Karabulut pointed out that the Mediterranean diet is the healthiest way of eating in the world and made the following suggestions:
“In terms of heart health; Offal and processed meat products, white flour products, ready-made confectionery, sugary and carbonated drinks, nanotechnological prepared foods, fried foods and excessive salt consumption should be avoided. Care should be taken to eat a Mediterranean type of diet, that is, to consume plenty of vegetables, sufficient fruit, walnuts, olives, olive oil, brown whole grain bread and fresh oily sea fish. Daily consumption of eggs should be one boiled form. With the approval of the physician, adequate amounts of vitamin D, which is a sun vitamin, and folic acid, known as B9, should be taken for heart health.
Stating that if there is a heart patient under the age of 50 in the family, it indicates a predisposition, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Karabulut said, “While heart diseases show familial transmission, heart attacks observed especially in first-degree relatives before the age of 50 indicate familial predisposition. Heart diseases that occur before the age of 65 in the mother and before the age of 55 in the father pose a genetic risk for children. used his statements.
Do not make this mistake when using blood thinners
Cardiology Specialist Prof. Dr. Ahmet Karabulut, stating that there is a wrong idea in the society regarding the use of blood thinners, warned with the following words:
“Blood-thinning treatment is recommended for life to anyone with atherosclerosis, heart attack or stroke. The benefits of anticoagulant therapy have led to people without heart disease taking blood thinners. So that; The phrase 'those over 40 should use aspirin' has become an urban legend. However, according to scientific data; While aspirin given for protection in people without heart disease increases the risk of bleeding in the long term, it does not provide any significant additional benefit for heart disease. For this reason, we do not recommend anticoagulant treatment for middle-aged and elderly people who do not have cardiovascular disease. It is absolutely necessary to apply to the doctor and after the necessary examinations, blood thinners should be used if the doctor deems it necessary.
Stating that alcohol and tobacco products should be avoided, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Karabulut, “Scientific studies; It reveals that tobacco and tobacco products such as cigarettes, hookahs, electronic cigarettes, and alcohol use seriously invite cardiovascular disease. According to studies; Due to the use of these harmful substances, heart diseases occur at an early age, and the blockage in the arteries is faster, and the risk of heart attack and stroke increases.” he said.
Those with chronic diseases beware
Cardiology Specialist Prof. Dr. Ahmet Karabulut stated that chronic diseases also cause cardiovascular disease at earlier ages and said, “The triad of hypertension, diabetes and cholesterol is directly related to heart diseases. The risk of heart attack decreases in people whose blood pressure is under control and whose blood sugar and cholesterol balance is well.
Heart diseases increased after Covid-19
Cardiology Specialist Prof. Dr. Ahmet Karabulut stated that heart diseases are seen more frequently after Covid-19 and gave the following information:
“Covid-19 directly affects the veins and increases the formation of clots. According to researches; Similar findings were observed after Covid vaccines. People with Covid-19 infection have a higher risk of heart attack in the next 1 year. Cardiac side effects such as myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) have been observed more frequently in people who have been vaccinated, especially in the early period. For this reason, especially those who have had a Covid-19 infection and have had a Covid-19 vaccine should have a heart examination within the first year.”
prof. Dr. Ahmet Karabulut, stating that Covid-19 infection can also reveal hidden heart diseases, said, “Those with familial risk for heart disease, those who live unhealthy, people with chronic diseases should be under regular follow-up after Covid-19 infection or vaccination.” said.
Herbal treatment does not stop or eliminate heart disease
People who eat vegan are less likely to have heart disease. However, a mistake is made in the society that those who do not want to use drugs turn to herbal supplements. Emphasizing that vegan diet and herbal treatment are not the same thing, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Karabulut, on the contrary, said that taking herbal medicines instead of modern drug treatment may lead to further progression of heart disease. For this reason, it is necessary to provide diet, drug therapy and supplementary food support in an integrated manner in case of the physician's recommendation for people with heart disease.