They are more concerned about the coronavirus than the rest of the problems faced by the citizens, while one in five heart patients seems to have neglected their health during the pandemic. A study by the Cyprus Cardiac Society brings to light the effects of the pandemic on human health, after two years of measures and restrictions, and highlights the need to strengthen the institution of the personal physician, to whom citizens must learn to turn without delay. the health problems they face.
As the Scientific Society points out in its relevant report, “its pandemic COVID-19 the last two years has negatively affected multiple areas of life. In terms of health, it has been internationally observed that the pandemic and the fear it has brought have led to the deterioration of care for chronic diseases as well as to the delay in seeking help in cases of cases that may need urgent treatment. "Heart disease is unfortunately not an exception to this phenomenon."
The analysis of the data of the study in which 1.000 citizens participated, shows that:
> 22% of participants reported that they were more concerned about the coronavirus compared to the other diseases they face. This also applies to 25% of participants who have heart disease.
> 12% of participants neglected their health issues due to coronavirus.
> 8% of participants neglected to check for any symptoms they feared for their exposure to the coronavirus when visiting health services.
> 21% of heart patients reported that they neglected their health due to the coronavirus in relation to an appointment, examination or medication.
"Although the percentage of people who have neglected their health due to the coronavirus is relatively small, it is important to stress to people who have a heart condition or have a symptom that may be due to heart disease, not to neglect their exams for fear of exposure. "in the coronavirus", emphasizes the Cardiological Society.
Regarding the contact with the personal doctor:
> 29% have regular contact with their personal doctor.
> 20% have occasional contact with their personal doctor.
> 51% of the participants did not have or had only individual contacts with the personal doctor.
"Older people have an increased chance of developing cardiovascular and other diseases. However, 36% of people over the age of 65 do not visit their personal doctor even once a year for routine examinations.
As noted, "The institution of the personal doctor is a key for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases but also for the rational management of the resources of the health system. For these reasons, we must promote the regular contact of the population with personal doctors ".
The problem is not found in the frequency of blood tests, since as found by the study, "Cypriots undergo regular blood tests (the majority undergo blood tests once a year)".
Blood pressure measurement:
Blood pressure, "is one of the most common risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The only way to diagnose it is to measure your blood pressure. "Nevertheless, the Cypriots do not control their pressure often enough, which is a matter of concern." According to the results of the research:
> At the age of 45-54, 40% do not control their blood pressure.
At the ages 55-64 26%.
> At the age of 65, 22% do not check their blood pressure even once a year.
It is also worrying that, "19% of heart patients do not check their blood pressure even once a year."
Lifestyle:
> 37% of participants do not follow an active lifestyle.
> 42% said they do not get enough sleep.
> 51% do not follow a healthy diet.
> 65% do not exercise on a regular basis.
"The same bad lifestyle seemed to apply to the heart patients who took part in the study."
Regarding heart diseases, the study found that "Cypriot heart patients visit their cardiologist on a regular basis.
Knowledge of the causes of heart disease
"The majority of participants stated that they know that bad lifestyle (poor diet, smoking, stress and sedentary lifestyle) is a cause of heart disease. However, a much smaller percentage stated the usual risk factors (hypercholesterolemia, hypertension and diabetes) as the cause of heart disease.
This, according to the report, "shows that the majority do not know that these factors, although related to lifestyle to some extent, can occur independently of lifestyle and without any symptoms to recognize them." .
Knowledge about the symptoms of myocardial infarction
> The majority of participants knew that myocardial infarction could present as burning or intense pressure in the chest and that symptoms may appear and subside several days before a heart attack occurs.
Very few people knew that myocardial infarction could present with other symptoms such as unexplained difficulty breathing, stomach pain, back pain, numbness in the left arm, sweating, palpitations, dizziness or fainting.
"To minimize the risk of myocardial damage or death from myocardial infarction, the patient must recognize the symptoms in time so that he can be treated immediately with catheterization and primary angioplasty."
Vaccination for COVID-19 and heart disease
> 82% of participants stated that they had already been vaccinated or that they intended to be vaccinated.
> 8% of participants answered that they would probably not be vaccinated.
> 10% answered that they would definitely not be vaccinated.
Furthermore, participants who stated that they did not intend to be vaccinated were asked about the reasons for their decision.
> Most stated that they consider that not enough tests were done before its application (57%).
> That they are worried about its side effects (54%).
> That they would like to see the effectiveness of the vaccine first (43%).
> 31% of people who do not intend to be vaccinated said they think they do not need it and 16% that they do not like to follow the mass.
Finally, "contrary to what the medical community suggests for the chronically ill, 5% are afraid to be vaccinated because they have a heart condition, and 8% because they have another chronic condition.
These answers, according to the Cyprus Cardiac Society, "constitute valuable information for understanding the non-vaccination of a portion of the population. Chronically ill people, especially heart patients, should be emphasized that their illnesses make them more vulnerable to serious illness than COVID-19. "Vaccination is not only not dangerous for them, but it becomes even more necessary."
philenews.com