Preventing cardiovascular disease

Introduction

 In the 21st century, cardiovascular disease is causing high mortality rates in both low and middle-income countries. Various prevention strategies have been implemented in the health care settings by researchers and clinicians yet the disease remains a health issue. To address this health issue, the World Health Organization has updated the recommendations for preventing CDV.  Also, the journals of public health have updated their prevention recommendations. The sources provide a set of guidelines that the primary care providers as well the individuals should follow to prevent the cardiovascular risks. In general, lifestyle modification and risk assessment could promote a healthy lifestyle and reduce cardiovascular diseases.

 According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular disease is a fatal disease given that in 2005, there were 30% million deaths as a result of CVD. Both low and middle-income countries experience a heavy burden yet these countries lack resources to manage the disease. Thus, it is high time the policy makers collaborate with the health care providers to employ an evidence-based preventive approach to reduce cardiovascular risks (WHO, 2007).  The WHO states that CVD can be prevented through the modification of behaviors. Various clinical trials have shown that behavioral modifications lower risks of cardiovascular events.  The following are ways to prevent cardiovascular disease.

 Tobacco

 There is an evidence from a cohort study that smoke cessation reduces the risk of CVD. A recent interheart study report that tobacco use- either higher consumption of low consumption- is associated with adverse effects (WHO, 2007). Thus, health professionals such as health counselors and physicians should encourage smoking cessation. The WHO recommends smoking cessation as a lifestyle modifications for preventing cardiovascular diseases. Primary prevention programs include bans on advertising and ban on tobacco sales.

Diet

  Trans-fatty acids increase bad cholesterol and hence the risk of CDV. A healthy diet should have a total calorie of less than 30% (WHO, 2007). In a systematic review, participants who reduced the intake of dietary cholesterol and consumed unsaturated fat reduced the risk of cardiovascular disease by 16%.  The article also states that omega-3 fatty acids have a cardio protective role. Population studies have shown that high sodium intake increases CDV. Note that high blood pressure contributes to CDV. Since a high sodium intake increases blood pressure, WHO recommends reducing sodium intake in processed food (WHO, 2007).  People should maintain good blood pressure and hence prevent cardiovascular disease. Another important point about diet is that fruits and vegetables have protective effects. Thus, people should prevent cardiovascular disease by consuming fruits and vegetables since these plant-based food have low calories.

 Physical activity

 Several meta-analyses have reported that sedentary lifestyles increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Others report that physical activity reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases through improving blood pressure, and insulin control (WHO, 2007). WHO recommends the implementation of physical activity programs in health care settings. There should be individual counseling to promote self-directed physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness. Other interventions include home-based physical activity, self-monitoring, and group counseling. 

  According to Omura et al (2019), physical inactivity is a contributing factor to cardiovascular disease. Thus, individuals are encouraged to increase physical activity to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and other conditions. However, 1 in 5 Americans do not adhere to the physical activity guidelines (Omura et al. 2019). To help these adults who do not engage in physical activities, the article recommends 'walking' as a simple physical activity that can promote cardiovascular health. The article states that walking as a form of physical activity is less prevalent. However, the Nationals Health Interview Survey report that active transportation lowered BMI, hypertension, and diabetes (Omura et al. 2019). This shows that even though walking is less common, there should be clinical interventions to promote aerobic physical activity. To promote physical activities, health care providers should encourage adults to incorporate walking since its safe and easy.

            Santos (2020) asserts that cardiovascular disease prevention can only be achieved by addressing the risk factors. For example, adults between 40-69 years suffer from blood pressure. These adults are likely to develop heart diseases. For example, the Framingham study found that risk factors for cardiovascular disease include obesity, high blood pressure, menopause, and more. The article states that it is important to understand these risks; both high risks and low risks (Santos, 2020). These risks should be considered in clinical practices and prevention/screening should be done and treat the risk factors. Also, primary health care should entail the provision of comprehensive care to individuals with severe health problems to lower the risks of cardiovascular disease. Note that comprehensive care will benefit both younger and adults and the risks will not be potentially harmful (Santos, 2020). Thus, risks assessment is an effective method for cardiovascular disease prevention and the individuals as well the health care setting will not face the burden of cardiovascular disease. 

Conclusion

 Cardiovascular disease is a threat to the world in terms of causing premature deaths and increase the burden of health care costs. Countries are struggling with health and financial needs. However, countries as well as individuals can prevent cardiovascular diseases. The main take-home message is that prevention intervention should start with physical activity and dietary advice. Individuals need lifestyle modifications such as quit smoking, consume a healthy diet such as fruits and vegetables and do away with sugars and saturated fats, and do physical exercises. Finally, a comprehensive assessment should be done to assess the risk factors and solve the existing health issues.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

 Omura, J. D., Ussery, E. N., Loustalot, F., Fulton, J. E., & Carlson, S. A. (2019). Peer Reviewed:

Walking as an Opportunity for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention. Preventing Chronic

Disease, 16.

 Santos, P. (2020). The Role of Cardiovascular Risk Assessment in Preventive Medicine: A

Perspective from Portugal Primary Health-Care Cardiovascular Risk

Assessment. Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2020.

 

World Health Organization. (2007). Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: Guidelines for

Assessment and Management of Cardiovascular Risk. https://ish-world.com/downloads/activities/71665_71665_OMS_INT-RETIRATION.pdf