For several years now, diseases of the heart and circulatory system have been the leading cause of death in Lithuania, including such acute conditions as brain stroke or myocardial infarction. According to the latest data from the Institute of Hygiene (HI), it is these diseases that cause almost half – 48 percent. – in the land of the dead. Family doctor Paulius Jacevičius tells you how to protect yourself from worst-case scenarios and, in the event of an accident, to recognize the symptoms as soon as possible.
Myocardial infarction – manifests differently
According to P. Jacevičius, when it comes to cardiovascular diseases with sad statistics, it is necessary to pay attention to myocardial infarction and its residual effects. This condition can not only significantly complicate normal life, but also become fatal.
“Myocardial infarction is manifested by severe pain behind the sternum, spreading to the left arm, less often to the neck, lower jaw, abdomen, back. The pain is throbbing, pressing and often becomes unbearable. It’s true that some people may experience an atypical form of heart attack, with abdominal pain, nausea, sometimes even vomiting, shortness of breath, dizziness, and loss of consciousness,” says P. Jacevičius.
The doctor explains that following experiencing a myocardial infarction, various health problems such as heart failure, shortness of breath, decreased tolerance to physical exertion, etc., can complicate daily life. What’s more, the probability of experiencing this condition once more increases significantly, so periodic consultations with a doctor and special tests are necessary.
Another critical condition is a stroke
Statistics show that more than a million EU residents have had a stroke, and almost half of them did not survive. Family doctor P. Jacevičius explains that strokes are more common in older people, but the risk increases significantly if a person suffers from various chronic diseases, has bad habits or abuses alcohol.
“During a stroke, depending on the damaged lobe of the brain, a person may experience numbness in the face, hands, and feet, speech may be impaired – they begin to speak incoherently, unable to say complete sentences. Vision or hearing may also be damaged – people become blind in one eye, hear ringing in their ears or become completely deaf, muscle paralysis, gait or coordination disorders appear,” says the doctor.
He adds that if treatment is not started within the first few hours, the symptoms experienced during a stroke can last a lifetime or end more tragically. A person may later be accompanied by limb movement disorders, speech, thinking defects or even develop epilepsy.
Get in the way
Kristina Ruseckienė, head of the Changes and Products Department of the company “PZU Lietuva gyivybės draudimas”, which provides life insurance services, states that in the company’s list of critical diseases, heart attack and stroke benefits have been paid for many years, as these diseases have long been among the most dangerous.
“However, it is important not only to secure financial stability for yourself and your family in case of failure, but also to try with all your might to avoid such diseases. In an effort to encourage customers to look more often at their health, a year ago we introduced an extremely easy-to-use telemedicine service that allows you to consult a family doctor remotely, for example from home or abroad, and receive advice or a referral to specialists. We are convinced that we should do everything in our daily life so that both ourselves and our family members feel calmer and safer,” says K. Ruseckienė.
Family doctor P. Jacevičius adds that in order to avoid the aforementioned dangerous conditions, it is extremely important to take into account the lifestyle and use the possibilities of the preventive program. For men from 40 to 54 years old and women from 50 to 64 years old, it is recommended to have a cardiogram, arterial blood pressure measurement, and blood tests every year following consultation with a family doctor.
“The risk of strokes and heart attacks is often determined by previous cardiovascular risk factors: increased arterial blood pressure, overweight, smoking, irregular diet, insufficient physical activity. According to Eurostat research, 1 in 6 Lithuanians has some degree of obesity, so it is also very important to adjust the lifestyle”, he explains and emphasizes that the risk of the mentioned conditions can be significantly reduced if we follow the basic principles of health and try to catch up with diseases. eyes