- Based on WHO statistics, heart-related conditions are the leading cause of death globally.
- Currently myocardial infarcts and strokes claim more than 17 million lives a year.
- According to the Ministry of Health, during 2021, 124,081 deaths derived from cardiovascular diseases were registered in Mexico.
Health is the most valuable thing a person has, although many times it is not given the necessary attention. One thing that is always emphasized is the importance of prevention rather than cure. It is a principle that becomes relevant when it comes to heart problems because some slight lifestyle changes are enough to reduce risks.
Current national panorama
In Mexico, heart disease is one of the main causes of mortality and disease. According to data from National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI)in the year 2022 deaths from heart problems were the first cause of death nationwide, with 105 thousand 864 cases.
According to Dr. Abel Alberto Pavía López, specialist in Clinical Cardiology “systemic arterial hypertension, coronary artery disease and heart failure are some of the main heart diseases that afflict Mexicans. These conditions can be caused by various factors, including obesity, smoking, stress, sedentary lifestyle and an unhealthy diet.
Changes in daily life that must be adopted
To reduce the risk of heart disease it is important to adopt healthy habits. Some are quite easy to follow and that’s why the top 5 practices to prevent Heart problems are the following.
- Maintain a healthy and balanced diet. Diet plays an important role in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, grains and proteins is recommended. In addition to a low or moderate consumption of foods with high caloric content, as well as avoiding the consumption of trans fats such as: margarines, cookies and saturated fats.
- Doing physical activity. Leading a sedentary lifestyle can become a major risk factor for heart disease, which affects an increasing number of young people in the country. so the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week to prevent cardiovascular disease.
- Eliminate tobacco use and limit alcohol consumption. Smoking increases the risk of cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension and heart attacks. On the other hand, alcohol consumption can also be harmful to the heart, since excessive consumption can increase the risk of diseases such as hypertension and arrhythmias.
- Avoid stress. Stress can trigger physiological changes in the body that increase blood pressure, heart rate, and levels of stress hormones like cortisol. Although sometimes it is difficult to avoid it, it is important to have moments of rest and relaxation.
- Keep blood pressure and cholesterol monitored. If these two factors are not kept under control, they can increase the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, as well as heart failure, hence the importance of having regular medical checkups.
By putting these healthy habits into practice, it is possible to significantly reduce the risk of suffering Heart problemsThey also help to improve the quality of life. In the same way, the importance of going to regular medical check-ups and following the indications of specialists to control risk factors cannot be overlooked.
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