Cardiologist from São Camilo warns about prevention of cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular diseases can evolve quietly and in some cases, the first sign that something is not going well may arise only when the problem is already installed. The alert was made by cardiologist Amanda Guimarães de Sousa, of Centro Hospitalar São Camilo, during an interview with BnT News on Tuesday (23), as part of the awareness campaign of Red September.

According to the doctor, when talking about cardiovascular diseases, conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels are included, such as heart attack, stroke, heart failure, arrhythmias and diseases of the heart valves.

During the interview, Amanda highlighted that prevention is one of the main ways to reduce risks, precisely because some of these conditions may not present clear symptoms in the early stages.

Hypertension and high cholesterol can be silent

One of the points highlighted by the cardiologist was that hypertension and high cholesterol often do not cause noticeable symptoms.

Therefore, according to Amanda, knowing the health indicators themselves and seeking medical evaluation before complications arise is essential.

She also drew attention to the fact that not every heart attack presents itself with the classic chest pain. “Principally in patients such as women, the elderly and diabetics, they usually have no chest pain,” the doctor explained during the interview.

According to the cardiologist, these patients may present symptoms considered atypical, which reinforces the importance of an individualized evaluation.

What are the risk factors for cardiovascular disease?

Amanda explained that the risk factors for cardiovascular disease can be divided between modifiable and non-modifiable.

Among those that cannot be altered is family history, especially when there are cases of cardiovascular disease in first-degree relatives still young. Among the factors that can be controlled are conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and obesity, as well as habits related to estilo de vida.

The doctor also highlighted the influence of sedentary lifestyle, inadequate diet, stress, anxiety and sleep quality.

According to Amanda, cardiovascular disease usually has a multifactorial origin, that is, different factors can act together.

Stress, anxiety, and poorly slept nights come on alert

During the conversation on BnT News, the cardiologist explained that stress and mental health should also be considered when the subject is cared for with the heart. “Mental health is a factor that goes hand in hand with the heart,” he said.

Accelerated routine, anxiety, and poor sleep can contribute to body wear and tear, especially when associated with other risk factors.

For those who realize that they need to change some habits, the doctor advises to start by identifying the main problems of the routine itself.

Among the changes cited are sleeping earlier, reducing the use of screens before going to bed, practicing physical exercise and pursuing a more balanced diet.

Cardiologist recommends avoiding screens before bed

Amanda also drew attention to the use of the cell phone during the night. According to the doctor, too much information and stimuli before bed can interfere with the quality of sleep.

One of the guidelines presented was to avoid screens at least an hour before going to bed. Physical exercise was also highlighted as an important measure for both cardiovascular health and emotional balance.

Preventive examinations should be individualized

Asked what tests should be done to prevent cardiovascular disease, Amanda explained that there is no standard list valid for all people.

According to her, each patient needs to be evaluated individually.

The tests that can be used include the electrocardiogram and the ergometric test, but the indication depends on the clinical history, lifestyle habits and risk factors presented by each person.

The evaluation also considers information such as blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol and abdominal circumference.

“The first step is to know the patient’s numbers,” he explained. From this information, the doctor can define which tests are needed for each situation.

Prevent before the problem arises

At the end of the interview, Amanda emphasized that the goal of preventive follow-up is to identify risk factors before complications occur.

According to the cardiologist, in some cases, a more severe manifestation, such as a heart attack or stroke, may be the first sign perceived by the patient. For Amanda, prevention should be part of the routine even of those who do not yet have symptoms.

 

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