Diana Păun, presidential adviser, Department of Public Health, university professor, endocrinologist at Bucharest University Emergency Hospital, was invited by Mădălina Dobrovolschi on the show “Piata Victoriei” on Wednesday evening, on Europa FM. What can we do for our health and what are the signs that should make us think and make us go to the doctor? Diana Păun spoke, among other things, about cardiovascular diseases. “Cardiovascular disease usually increases greatly in incidence in women after menopause. Men are exposed, however, throughout their lives, regardless of age,” explained Diana Păun.
Diana Paun: “Over half of the deaths of Romanians are due to cardiovascular diseases”
Mădălina Dobrovolschi: Cardiovascular diseases, the main cause of mortality in Romania for both sexes. What routine investigations would be necessary and what signals to look out for?
Diana Paun: “Mortality due to cardiovascular diseases is the most important rate, because over half of the deaths of Romanians are due to cardiovascular diseases.
I am referring here primarily to ischemic coronary disease, which can be exacerbated by the occurrence of an acute myocardial infarction, and to cerebrovascular accidents, which often hide an untreated and often undiagnosed hypertension.
For coronary artery disease, the most common manifestation is fatigue, but we can be tired for many reasons. I’m referring specifically to the fatigue that occurs when I’m working hard, when I’m climbing stairs, when I’m doing more physical work than I usually do.
Also, pains should worry us, especially chest pains, but angina pectoris can also manifest itself with more strange pains, in the shoulder, for example, or towards the neck towards the mandible area or in the back. Which wouldn’t make you think of heart disease at first. […] However, initially the pain passes. It also passes spontaneously. But if they are repeated, we must worry and must make us see the doctor”.
Diana Paun: “Cardiovascular disease increases greatly in incidence in women after menopause”
Diana Paun: “It is true that heart diseases occur in both sexes, but I could say that women are somewhat protected during their fertile life. Cardiovascular disease usually increases greatly in incidence in women after menopause. Men are exposed, however, throughout their lives, regardless of age.”
Diana Paun: “It’s ideal to exercise daily”
Diana Paun: “Sedentaryism itself is described as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, responsible for an important mortality rate. The ideal is to exercise daily – if we can, half an hour of walking at a pace not necessarily very alert. It would be ideal to be able to do rhythmic sports at the gym or in the swimming pool or practice a sport for pleasure. Tennis is very good because it also mobilizes the joints”.
Mădălina Dobrovolschi: What should we know to do if we have an alarm signal that we could suffer from cardiovascular diseases?
Diana Paun: “First of all, I think the visit to the family doctor is the most useful. Because the family doctor should know best the sufferings of the patients he has on the list. He can take your blood pressure, do an EKG, take some tests, and I don’t mean complicated tests, I mean a lipid profile. A blood glucose measurement”.
Sursa foto: Shutterstock
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What Diana Păun Wants You to Know About Heart Health
So, the brilliant Diana Păun—you know, the overachiever in the realm of health and wellness—recently graced the airwaves on Europa FM. She was having a chat with the charming Mădălina Dobrovolschi, discussing a fairly serious topic: Cardiovascular diseases. Spoiler alert: They’re killing half of Romania faster than a dodgy kebab after a night out.
Cardiovascular Disease: The Grim Statistic
Diana Păun didn’t mince words: “Over half of the deaths of Romanians are due to cardiovascular diseases.” Talk about a heart-stopping statistic! This is not just another figure; it’s the wake-up call that we’ve all ignored while scrolling through cat memes on our phones.
She went on to detail how ischemic coronary disease and cerebrovascular accidents are like uninvited guests at a party—showing up all too often and usually bringing misery along with them. And let’s be honest; anything that hides behind hypertension sounds like it’s plotting something sinister.
Signs and Symptoms That Should Make You Go, “Oh, Crikey!”
Păun wisely points out that while we’re all tired from our busy lives—hello, raising kids while trying to remember where we put our keys—there are specific kinds of fatigue that should make you sit up and take notice. If you’re huffing and puffing after a casual stroll or feel like you’ve run a marathon after climbing half a flight of stairs, it’s your body’s way of waving a red flag. But before you start panicking, remember: fatigue can be a symptom of about a million other things. Being human is exhausting!
And those chest pains? They’re not to be treated lightly, especially if they’re sneaking around in the shoulder or neck area, like they own the place. If that nagging discomfort keeps popping back into your life like an unwanted ex, it’s time to pay a visit to the doc. Seriously, let’s not leave it to chance!
Women and Heart Health: A Post-Menopausal Wake-Up Call
Now, gentlemen, don’t gloat just yet. Păun did mention that, although heart issues are tragically unisex, women are somewhat shielded during their fertile years. But, like a storm cloud on the horizon, menopause rolls in, and bam! The risk of cardiovascular disease skyrockets. So, ladies, let’s tuck that information in your back pocket and maybe take up brisk walking—perhaps while wearing a fabulous, empowering outfit.
Get Moving: A Prescription for Life
And speaking of walking, our health guru urges us to get off the couch! Sedentary lifestyles are suspect in causing cardiac chaos. “The ideal is to exercise daily,” Păun suggests, sounding more like a motivational coach than a doctor for a moment there. Thirty minutes of walking—or in Ricky Gervais’s case, briskly searching for food. Whether you’re in a gym or making an impromptu dance party in your living room, every bit counts!
When in Doubt, Call the Doc
If your body sends you signals that have you questioning your life choices, it’s best not to wait. Pay your family doctor a visit. Seriously, it’s what they’re there for! They can take your blood pressure, whip up an EKG, and do some blood tests. Easy peasy lemon squeezy! No need to play medical detective with mysterious symptoms.
Wrapping It Up with a Bow (and Some Good Humor)
So there you have it: a cheeky but essential rundown of heart health courtesy of Diana Păun. Remember, your heart is rather fond of you, so return the favor by staying alert and active! And if you find yourself in doubt, it’s better to be safe and seek professional advice. Your heart—and potentially your loved ones—will thank you for it.
And hey, while you’re at it, maybe a little laugh or two with mates won’t hurt either. As Lee Evans would say, the best medicine is laughter, unless what you’re laughing at is a heart monitor—then you might want to find a new joke!
Walking or tennis as a preventive measure.
A Call to Action: Take it to the Doctor
For anyone experiencing these alarming signals, Păun emphasizes the importance of consulting your family doctor first. “Your family doctor knows you best,” she asserts, and can perform crucial tests like blood pressure checks, EKGs, and routine blood work—simple yet effective ways to get a handle on your heart health.
Final Thoughts
Diana Păun’s insights serve as a crucial reminder: cardiovascular health should be on everyone’s radar. Whether it’s taking small but impactful steps toward daily exercise or knowing when to seek medical advice, staying informed is key. So, don’t brush off the warning signs; make your heart health a priority! As they say, prevention is better than cure—especially when it comes to dodging the leading cause of mortality in Romania.