Cardiologist has identified symptoms that cannot be ignored – if you only feel it, get help right away

Are we losing surveillance of other deadly chronic diseases due to Covid-19? The president of the Kaunas branch of the Lithuanian Heart Association, prof. Raimondas Kubilius.

People are probably currently dying in their homes from heart attacks

According to the doctor, the European Society of Cardiologists also expressed concern, noting that even in the old countries of the European Union, the population experiencing an acute myocardial infarction has decreased dramatically.

“The question arises when those patients have disappeared if deaths from cardiovascular disease are predominant. Cardiologists note that patients with chest pain are often afraid to call an ambulance and go to hospitals because they are currently considered unsafe for COVID-19. Furthermore, the arrival of ambulances and the provision of services due to a pandemic are often difficult, “said the professor.

Therefore, it is believed that the main reason for such statistics is that currently, instead of seeking medical attention, the patient suffers. However, after experiencing the first symptoms of chest pain, according to the doctor, there is no way to delay it, you should call an ambulance and go to the hospital.

The professor ensures that, as in the past, patients receive emergency care and that doctors try to make it as safe as possible.

According to prof. According to R. Kubilius, doctors do not rule out the assumption that many patients are experiencing acute conditions, and many of them are dying at home or receiving late help when it is no longer possible to help the patient.

Cardiovascular disease deaths in Lithuania account for half of all recorded deaths. Could the situation get even worse?

“During this period, patients with cardiovascular disease should pay even more attention to themselves.” Medications must be taken regularly, they must be sufficient. Family members must ensure that the patient always has medications, “said the interviewee.

COVID-19 is already known to have a significant effect in patients with heart disease. With cardiovascular disease (CKD), the patient becomes more vulnerable or certain gates of tissue form, where the virus can penetrate the body, damage the lungs, the heart muscle, and cause major complications: acute respiratory failure, heart muscle failure .

Occasionally, several risk factors, such as smoking, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, may be sufficient to worsen the course of COVID-19 infection.

According to R. Kubilius, a patient with CHD is 15 times more likely to experience larger or more fatal complications. Lung tissue, damage to the heart muscle, is likely the deciding factor that causes the patient to die.

Every minute counts

How should a person behave during this pandemic so that existing chronic disease does not worsen?

“It just caught our eye then. First of all, we recommend that patients who have CHD or high blood pressure test it daily, which is very simple. Second, you must create your own physical activity plan and exercise for 30-40 minutes a day. Although it is difficult to go outside during quarantine, it can also be done at home. Eating healthy is also important. Third, regular medication is very important, “the doctor reminded him of the most important things.

And if the patient develops unprecedented atypical symptoms, severe chest pain, an ambulance should be called.

“Those patients who are already being treated for CVD know what pain indicates the need to see a doctor. You also need to do this feeling that your heart rate has been disturbed. These conditions cannot be postponed, “said Prof. R. Kubilius.

It is important to note that all patients over the age of 65 have many other comorbidities. Nor should they be forgotten during a pandemic.

“Men over 40 and women over 50 are already classified as having or experiencing their first heart attack. We should focus on this age category. If this category of pain occurs for the first time in life, especially if the pain is very intense, it spreads to the left arm, it burns, it spreads to the lower jaw, doctors already realize that it may be a myocardial infarction “said the professor.

Also, the doctor remembers that every minute is important after a heart attack.

“And you really don’t have to hold back, think help is most needed for other patients. In such cases, you need to call an ambulance. Golden minutes is a saved heart muscle. In the worst case, if there is no attack and the medical personnel evaluate it, at least we will calm down and there will be less anxiety in the family, ”said the interviewee.

The doctor emphasizes that sometimes, when patients arrive after a day, they can no longer help them.

Like medications, a healthy diet and a good lifestyle are crucial.

“Perhaps during this period, patients have a great opportunity to quit smoking. A healthy lifestyle, increased physical activity is exactly the same as the medications you need to take daily. You need to be physically active every day, refrain from excess salt, give up fatty foods, diversify foods with fruits and vegetables, “said R. Kubilius.

You won’t feel the result right away, but in the future it can generate up to 90 percent. your well-being, says the doctor.

“Patients often expect a miracle cure, but unfortunately it is not. It is necessary to go back to the beginning: change habits, which will be a contribution to heart health and greater resistance to COVID-19,” said the professor.

As Delfi has said before, prof. R. Kubilius, before the start of a heart attack you may feel certain symptoms.

Concerns should be raised if:

– during light exercise, such as climbing stairs, stopping due to a light bath, shortness of breath, tingling behind the chest;

– you feel discomfort in the chest;

– Your blood pressure and cholesterol are high, you smoke.

As the cardiologist said, most of the time when a patient arrives after experiencing an acute myocardial infarction, his symptoms are easily recognizable. The man complains that for the first time there was great pain behind the chest. However, sometimes acute myocardial infarction is not very characteristic. It is not uncommon for a patient to anticipate a new onset of tingling in the left arm, the spread of pain to the jaw, and sometimes not even seeing a doctor or being late. In very rare cases, there are digestion problems, nausea, vomiting. The person treats himself until he is forced to call an ambulance. After a few days, doctors may be of little or no help.