According to statistics, cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death not only in Latvia but throughout Europe. RSU professor, cardiologist, head of Professor Skride's Heart Clinic Andris Skride comments on how to improve this situation in the TV24 program "On the Line".
“This is the cause of death in the developed world. However, unlike other European countries, in Latvia, mortality and morbidity from myocardial infarction or stroke occur at a much younger age – often already at 40, 50, or 60 years old. I have said several times that Latvia has the fewest healthy years of life lived. To improve these healthy years of life, we can do a lot. Firstly, it is a healthy lifestyle. Secondly – physical activity. Another important point is the control of your risk factors. If blood pressure is above 120/80, then it must be treated. If cholesterol is elevated and a person has a high risk of developing a heart attack or stroke, then statins must be used,” says Skride and points out that for almost 80 percent of people suffering from cardiovascular diseases, a healthy lifestyle can not only delay but also prevent this illness. “Cardiological diseases – the majority of them – are indeed preventable. The most common disease, which doctors call atherosclerosis in one word and which can be in every organ, is currently preventable or at least delayable.”
The cardiologist also emphasizes that anyone can observe cardiological prevention, as it is not an expensive pleasure. “Cardiological prevention is very cheap. Firstly, a correct lifestyle, even an hour-long walk in the fresh air costs nothing, and the medications needed for the prevention of these diseases – blood pressure medication, cost a couple of euros a month. Also, statin group preparations, which are the youth medications for blood vessels, their price is 1-2 euros, and they are state-compensated medications. We realize that calculating each patient's potential risk of developing a myocardial infarction costs nothing.”
