In Türkiye, one in two deaths is caused by heart disease
In collaboration with Santa Farma Pharmaceuticals and the Turkish Heart Foundation, the "The Hidden Side of Your Heart" event, held as part of Heart Health Week, allowed participants to embark on an interactive journey into the inner world of the heart through a special video. The event also featured valuable insights on heart health shared by experts from the Turkish Heart Foundation.
Brought to life with the contributions of the Turkish Heart Foundation and the unconditional support of Santa Farma, the “Hidden Side of Your Heart” event brought together technology and awareness. Held at Marmara Forum as part of Heart Health Week, the event highlighted how healthy and unhealthy habits impact the heart. Visitors to the booth embarked on an interactive journey into the inner world of the heart by watching a video through special glasses. Initially observing the regular functioning of a healthy heart and the smooth circulation in its vascular system, participants had the opportunity to see the disruptive effects of daily habits such as stress, sleep deprivation, inactivity, and irregular eating on heart rhythm and vascular structure. At the end of the experiment, it was shown that the heart started functioning healthily again with the implementation of healthy lifestyle habits, conveying the message, "It's in your hands to change this situation."
During the event, experts from the Turkish Heart Foundation raised crucial warnings about silently progressing heart diseases, emphasizing that cardiovascular diseases continue to be the leading cause of death both globally and in Turkey. Stating that protecting heart health is not merely about avoiding diseases but is key to leading a high-quality life, Cardiology Specialist at the Turkish Heart Foundation Medical Center Dr. Hüseyin Deniz Kılıç, summarized the vital importance of the heart with the following words:
“Our heart is the primary organ that carries blood and oxygen to all the organs of the body. A problem that arises in our heart can directly affect many vital systems, especially the brain.”
Reminding that according to World Health Organization data, approximately 20 million people lose their lives every year due to these diseases, Specialist Dr. Hüseyin Deniz Kılıç underlined that a large majority of these deaths are preventable with the right lifestyle. “In Türkiye, cardiovascular diseases unfortunately continue to be the most common and the leading cause of death. Looking at current data, we see that approximately 40% of all deaths are due to cardiovascular diseases. This shows that almost one in every two deaths is due to cardiovascular diseases" Kılıç stated, and issued the following warnings:
“When we look at the risk groups, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and smoking are among the most important determinants. In addition, a sedentary lifestyle, irregular eating habits, and chronic stress also increase the risk. While the risk increases with age, individuals with a family history of heart disease at an early age, men, and postmenopausal women are among the groups that need to be monitored more closely.”
Don't Ignore "Silent" Symptoms
Noting that heart diseases do not always present with obvious complaints like chest pain, Specialist Dr. Hüseyin Deniz Kılıç said, “Among the most common symptoms we encounter are chest pain or a feeling of pressure, shortness of breath, rapid fatigue, palpitations, and a decrease in exercise tolerance.” He then shared the following details regarding the silent symptoms of heart diseases:
"Symptoms that we might call hidden include shortness of breath on exertion, getting tired more easily when climbing stairs, waking up at night due to shortness of breath, swelling in the ankles, and occasional irregular heartbeats." Although these types of complaints are often ignored, they can be early signs of an underlying heart condition. In situations such as a feeling of pressure in the chest, pain radiating to the arm, jaw, or back, sudden shortness of breath, fainting, or feeling lightheaded, a specialist should be consulted without delay. Furthermore, it is extremely important for individuals with risk factors to not neglect regular cardiological check-ups, even if they do not have any symptoms.
Diabetes: The Heart's Most Insidious Enemy!
Stating that diabetes directly damages vascular structure and accelerates the hardening of the arteries, Specialist Dr. Hüseyin Deniz Kılıç pointed out that heart attacks in diabetic patients often do not present with classic symptoms:
“These symptoms may be more atypical, especially in women, elderly individuals, and diabetic patients; vague complaints such as stomach upset-like symptoms, back or jaw pain, and unexplained fatigue may be more prominent.”
Underlining that diabetic patients need to be more careful about their heart health, Kılıç said, "Keeping blood sugar levels regular and within the target range is a fundamental step in protecting cardiovascular health." "In addition, keeping blood pressure and cholesterol under control is of great importance; because these three factors together significantly increase the risk of heart disease," he warned.
4 Essential Steps to a Heart-Healthy Life
Specialist Dr. Hüseyin Deniz Kılıç underlined that routine health check-ups are an important preventive measure even in the absence of symptoms, listing the changes that can be made in daily habits to protect heart health as follows:
Balanced diet: A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, and low in salt, should be followed; processed foods and sugar should be avoided.
Regular Exercise: At least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week, such as walking, swimming, or cycling, should be preferred.
Avoiding Harmful Habits: Smoking should be quit, and an ideal body weight should be maintained.