Coronavirus: Heart attack rate among 25-44 year olds increased by 30 percent
Recent studies show that the rate of heart attacks has increased by 30 percent between the ages of 25 and 44 with the coronavirus. Cardiovascular Surgery Specialist Prof. Dr. Mustafa Bilge Erdoğan said that heart attacks give critical signals in the vast majority of patients before they occur. However, Prof. Dr. Erdoğan also warned that heart attacks can occur without warning, especially in diabetic patients and the elderly. So, how does our body warn us before a heart attack? What is behind the increase in heart attack cases in recent years? Why is early diagnosis important? Prof. Dr. Mustafa Bilge Erdoğan explained the things people are curious about about heart attacks.
SYMPTOMS ARE SEEN IN 1 IN EVERY TWO PATIENTSNoting that a significant portion of patients who have a heart attack may have some symptoms or risk signs beforehand; however, these do not always have to be obvious or distinct, Prof. Dr. Erdoğan said, "In approximately 50-70 percent of patients, some warning symptoms may be seen days or weeks before a heart attack. These symptoms are usually chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, and weakness. However, in approximately 25-30 percent of patients, a heart attack may occur without any preliminary symptoms. This is especially common in diabetic patients and the elderly. However, approximately 10-20 percent of patients experience it silently. In this type, the patient may not even be aware of it. The attack may be detected coincidentally during an ECG or other imaging."
Drawing attention to the symptoms of a heart attack, Prof. Dr. Erdoğan continued his words as follows: "Chest pain or a feeling of pressure that comes with exertion, shortness of breath, decreased exercise capacity, pain radiating to the back, arm, jaw, extreme fatigue and chest discomfort that wakes us up at night usually say 'I'm coming'. However, if there are risks such as hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, smoking, family history and obesity, the risk is high even if there are no preliminary symptoms. Our findings also show that the symptoms can vary in women. For example, we may encounter discomforts such as nausea, fatigue and back pain."
HEART ATTACKS INCREASED WITH CORONAVIRUSIn recent years, there has been an increase in heart attacks in Turkey and the world. Stating that there are many reasons for this, the most important one is COVID-19, Prof. Dr. Erdoğan said, "The latest findings show that the rate of heart attacks has increased by 30 percent, especially between the ages of 25 and 44. In addition, lifestyle is also effective. During the pandemic, factors such as decreased physical activity, unhealthy diet and obesity increase the risk of heart attack. Again, genetic factors and familial hypercholesterolemia are among the factors that increase the risk of heart attack. In addition, it is possible to say that neglecting routine health checks due to the effect of the pandemic has led to a delay in treatment for heart attack. When we consider all these, early diagnosis is very important in coronary artery (vascular occlusion) diseases so that the disease does not progress and cause a heart attack. With early diagnosis, vascular occlusion is noticed and treatment is started immediately. If intervention is made at this stage before the vascular stenosis progresses, the person can continue their normal life for a long time."
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