Every 40 seconds, someone dies from cardiovascular disease in Brazil.

Brazil Agency - Worldwide, approximately 17,5 million people die from cardiovascular diseases each year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The situation is no different in Brazil. The annual average reaches 350, which corresponds to one life lost every 40 seconds; twice as many as all deaths from cancer and six times more than those caused by all infections in the country.

Between January and September of this year alone, there were 240 deaths due to heart problems. To raise awareness, the Brazilian Society of Cardiology (SBC) is promoting the "Driven by the Heart" campaign this Friday, the 29th, World Heart Day.

The campaign's objective is to convince the population to adopt preventive measures. Activities in some cities and online initiatives will promote this awareness, which can be crucial in many people's lives. This is because, according to the president of the Brazilian Society of Cardiology (SBC), Marcus Bolivar Malachias, "half of these deaths could be avoided or postponed for many years with prevention and care."

Engaging in physical activity; maintaining a balanced diet; controlling cholesterol, blood pressure, and diabetes; avoiding smoking; consuming alcohol and salt in moderation; and correctly using medication prescribed by a doctor, when necessary, are examples of what should be done to prevent coronary artery disease, strokes, and other problems.

Although the diseases and ways to combat them are known to the medical community and even the general population, Brazil has been experiencing the early onset of these problems. Half of fatal heart attacks, which should primarily affect the elderly, currently occur in people under 60 years of age.

The number of people under 40 affected has also been growing, according to the Brazilian Society of Cardiology (SBC). One explanation for these factors is that "Brazilians don't seek treatment," states Marcus Bolivar Malachias. He points out that 80% of hypertensive individuals know they should take care of themselves, but they don't adopt dietary changes or physical activity. Many also don't take the prescribed medication, partly because this type of disease is usually asymptomatic. If all of this were done, a hypertensive person could have an additional 16,5 years of life expectancy.

"Our biggest challenge is to reduce the gap between science, knowledge, and technologies and their applicability; therefore, it is important to raise awareness, because health begins with self-care."

According to Malachias, Brazil has a high number of cardiologists, 14, second only to the United States. The country's healthcare system also facilitates care, despite the difficulties that can be encountered in obtaining specialized medical assistance. "Today, we demand many consultations with little resolution, because after the consultation, treatment must continue," he explains.

Furthermore, stress has become a recurring risk factor, even among young people. The high release of hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol causes instability and raises blood pressure and heart rate, potentially leading to heart attack or stroke. To combat it, the Brazilian Society of Cardiology (SBC) recommends some small practices, such as eating better, exercising, sleeping better, and even laughing more. If this state of tension occurs frequently, it is important to seek help to determine if the person is suffering from an anxiety disorder.

Balanced diet

Obesity is another risk factor that can be addressed. Today, about 50% of the Brazilian population is overweight. The growth of the problem has accompanied changes in eating habits, such as the proliferation of fast food. According to the Dietary Guidelines for the Brazilian Population, traditional dishes from different regions of the country are allies in the fight against obesity and other diseases, as they are based on fresh foods produced near the places of consumption, and are diverse, which guarantees the necessary dietary balance.

Therefore, the president of the Brazilian Society of Cardiology (SBC) argues that it is necessary to encourage and guarantee conditions so that people can eat fresh, unprocessed foods more cheaply and have access to information, such as the origin of the products. He also warns the public not to change their habits based on any information available, for example, on social media. There, one can find various news items that propose, for example, excessive consumption of eggs or fat as supposed scientific discoveries. "The best thing to do is follow nature, which is balanced. There is no such thing as good or bad food. Moderation is what is good," he concludes.